If you’ve ever spent a rainy afternoon glued to the TV watching a tiny, determined woman in Nova Scotia bottle-feed a baby raccoon or release a rehabilitated eagle back into the wild, you know exactly who Hope Swinimer is. She is the heart and soul of Hope for Wildlife. But lately, there has been a lot of chatter and some nervous searching online. People are asking: is Hope Swinimer still alive?
It’s one of those things that starts as a whisper and then explodes into a Google trend. Maybe it's because she’s been doing this for thirty years. Or maybe it’s because the show has shifted its focus to the "Next Generation." Whatever the reason, let’s set the record straight right now.
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Hope Swinimer is very much alive and, quite frankly, probably busier than you and I combined.
As of January 2026, she is still at the helm of her massive rehabilitation center in Seaforth. She isn't just "alive"; she’s actually in the middle of launching some of the biggest projects of her career. If you think she’s sitting in a rocking chair somewhere, you clearly haven't been paying attention to the chaos of a Nova Scotian spring at the farm.
Why People Keep Asking About Her
Death hoaxes are a dime a dozen on the internet, but with Hope, the concern usually comes from a place of genuine affection. She’s been open about her life, and when you’re a public figure for decades, people naturally worry.
A few years back, there was a real health scare. Hope was diagnosed with cancer. It was a terrifying moment for the thousands of volunteers and fans who see her as the "life force" of the organization. In a twist that sounds like something out of a movie, she went in for surgery, and the doctors found the cancer had simply... vanished. She’s called it a miracle or just a strange stroke of luck, but it definitely made her start thinking about the future.
Then there’s the TV show. When the series rebranded as Hope for Wildlife: The Next Generation, some fans took that as a sign that she was stepping down or, worse, that something had happened to her.
Honestly? It was just practical planning. Hope is a realist. She knows she can't wrestle injured deer forever. She’s been actively "passing the torch" to younger rehabbers like Allison Dube and a small army of interns. That doesn't mean she’s gone; it just means she’s finally delegating the 4:00 AM feedings.
What Is Hope Swinimer Doing in 2026?
If you want proof that she’s still kicking, look at her 2026 calendar. Most people her age are looking at retirement brochures. Hope? She’s looking at blueprints for bear enclosures.
For over twenty years, Hope has had one "impossible" dream: a specialized facility for black bear cubs. In Nova Scotia, there hasn't always been a clear legal pathway for rehabilitating bears. But after years of paperwork, advocacy, and probably a few stubborn meetings with the Department of Natural Resources, she finally got the green light.
The Cape Breton Bear Project
The big news for 2026 is the opening of the black bear cub rehabilitation center in Cape Breton.
- It’s a 40-hectare (roughly 100 acres) remote enclosure.
- The goal is zero human habituation—which is incredibly hard to pull off.
- Construction is slated to kick into high gear this spring.
She’s also dealing with the boring, gritty stuff that keeps a non-profit running. They recently put out a call for "Wi-Fi for Wildlife" because their medical database kept crashing in dead zones on the farm. They're also trying to raise millions for a new "Take Flight" fund for birds of prey and a "Mammal Unit" to handle the 7,000+ animals they take in every year.
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The Reality of Running Hope for Wildlife
Running a rehab center isn't all cute baby animals and slow-motion releases. It’s grueling. Hope has mentioned that they answer about 40,000 calls and texts a year.
Can you imagine that? 40,000 people calling because they found a bird that hit a window or a squirrel in their attic.
She still works as an administrator at the Dartmouth Animal Hospital by day. The wildlife work? That’s her "hobby" that turned into a full-time, unpaid second career. She’s often said that she doesn't get paid for the work at Hope for Wildlife. She does it because if she didn't, who would?
Dealing with the "Gaggle"
Even in the winter of 2026, things don't slow down. The famous Sullivan’s Pond geese—those iconic, somewhat grumpy birds from Dartmouth—still make their annual winter trek to stay at Hope’s farm. They get a secure field, wading pools, and a warm barn while the ponds in the city freeze over.
Is She Retiring?
Every time a journalist asks her about retirement, she gives basically the same answer. She loves it too much to quit. But she is being smart about the "Hope for Wildlife" legacy.
She has spent the last few years making the organization independent of her. She’s visited centers in California and British Columbia that have outlived their founders. That’s her goal now. She wants to ensure that if she did decide to take a vacation (a concept she seems barely familiar with), the animals would still have a place to go.
So, if you see a post on Facebook claiming she’s passed away, check the source. Usually, it’s just clickbait designed to get you to click on a malware site. As of right now, the only thing "dying" at Hope for Wildlife is the old equipment they’re trying to replace with their 2026 fundraising goals.
How to Support the Mission Right Now
If you want to make sure Hope’s work continues, there are actually a few specific things the organization is asking for in 2026. They aren't just looking for cash; they have very specific needs.
- The Bear Project: They are still raising funds for the massive Cape Breton enclosure. This is a 20-year dream finally coming true.
- The Drop-Off Center: They’re trying to build a triage center at the Canso Causeway. This would help animals from Cape Breton get stabilized before the long four-hour drive to the main hospital in Seaforth.
- The 2026 Calendar: It’s one of their biggest fundraisers. If you buy one, the money goes directly to food and medical supplies for the patients.
- Volunteer Drivers: They always need people to transport animals. If you have a car and a few hours, you can literally save a life.
Hope Swinimer is a rare breed. She’s tough, unsentimental when she needs to be, but deeply compassionate. She’s dealt with cancer scares, hurricane damage to her facility, and decades of financial stress, yet she’s still there every morning. She’s alive, she’s well, and she’s probably currently arguing with a stubborn porcupine that doesn't want to take its medicine.
If you’re in Nova Scotia, you can still visit the farm during their scheduled open hours or join a guided tour. Just don't be surprised if you see a blur of blonde hair and a work jacket rushing past you toward the hospital wing. That’s just Hope, doing what she’s done for thirty years.
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For anyone looking to get involved or confirm the latest updates on their projects, the best move is to check their official 2026 newsletters or their Facebook page. They are very active and transparent about everything happening on the farm.
Whether it's donating a used vehicle or just sponsoring a specific animal like a baby raccoon, the support from the community is what keeps the doors open. Hope might be the "life force," but she’s the first to admit she can't do it alone.
Stay updated on the black bear project by following the Hope for Wildlife official site, where they post progress on the new Cape Breton enclosures and release schedules for the spring of 2026.