Monday, November 24, 2008

Finally, an update...........

Well, the meetings in Salt Lake regarding the lack of coverage in that area for wildlife rehabilitation are progressing. There is still not a clear cut answer to the problem, however, there is a new possibility for future rehab in that area. The Utah Career College in West Jordan apparently has a vet tech program that is interested in wildlife rehabilitation. Now, being a vet tech certainly doesn't qualify one to do wildlife rehab, but it's a start and they are willing and in the process of applying for all permits and licenses required. I believe they will be working hand-in-hand with the Ogden Nature Center's wildlife rehab center. We're looking at next summer for them to start assisting in this adventure. The vet that is part of the vet tech program is very supportive of this endeavor and assisting the rest of us in the future. They will be building a new facility with this in mind.

We have a few new patients with us. We also had an immature Coopers hawk come in, unfortunately he died after a great deal of effort in trying to save his life. He was so thin and weak and our efforts in tubing him still couldn't turn him around. The first year of life is always the most difficult for all of wildlife. They are not experienced like their parents in obtaining their food and often this results in death. Finding food and killing it, (if you're a predator) burns a lot of calories and that in turn means a big demand for food.

We also now have a little Western Screech owl. He came in with head trauma that has resulted in detached retinas so he cannot be released. He is partially sited so I made the decision to place him into an education program at the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City. I hope he'll do well there.

Goshen, the Barn owl was transfered and those pictures are here in this post. Carmen Smith, from Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah is the one holding him and placing him in the carrier
while I took the photo's.




Our trip to the vet specialist for Merle, the golden eagle, went well. The clouding on his lenses are not cataracts, but a normal process to do aging. We are going to test his killing ability (sight wise) and if that goes well, then he will be released.

He has been hanging out with our newest golden eagle. She came from San Juan county. Her name is Glory. She has a foot condition known as pododematitis. The left foot is particularly bad. She saw a vet in Salt Lake for the foot and we're doing everything she suggested. This condition takes a long time to resolve. Tomorrow, she will go to my regular vet in Payson and get her foot x-rayed and possibly some blood work will be done. She also had a heavy case of lice, typical for being down on the ground for some time. We have been treating her for that as well. Today is her last dose of medication for that. I feel there is more to her problems than just her feet, although they are bad enough.
I had a hunter come by a few weeks ago with a great deal of elk meat. This sure has been helpful with 2 eagles to feed.
Everyone else is doing well.
Thanks for checking in. Please leave your comments as this let's me know people are still interested in our work.
Debbie

2 comments:

cw said...

you sure can see lucky's eye problem in this picture can't you

ronni said...

Hi Debbie. Sounds like you've been busy and then some. I'm glad to see an update. If you have t-shirts that need to be decorated, I'll do them for free, as part of my contribution.


Feathered brothers and sisters, you came to us broken and as you bled…….we saw you desperate, dehydrated, desiccated, diseased, distressed, emaciated, famished, frayed, frightened, helpless, hungry, ragged, ravenous, shaken, shocked, shot, sickly, stressed, stunned, tattered, thirsty, traumatized, torn, weary and wounded. Defiantly, you stood us off with your last breath as we tried to tend to you. We saw you come in as cute, naked, fuzzy, cuddly youth, as mischievous, defiant adolescents, as fierce, regal rulers of the sky and as cunning, maimed elders whose time on earth was almost done. You endeared yourselves to us, bit us, charmed us, footed us, delighted us, hissed at us, talked to us, mantled at us, and graced us with your presence.

Some of you mended and were able to go on your way, never looking back. Some of you were injured in ways that prevented you from going, so you stayed with us to teach us…….And we came to love you. Others were too far gone, and you went home - where you fly free from pain with the Great One. All of you have touched us, and we are changed because of you.

used with permission by Arlene Powers


Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones