Wildlife Rehabilitation in Utah/Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation: Where are all these bats coming from...............

Friday, September 25, 2009

Where are all these bats coming from...............

I actually know the answer to that question....it's migration and just about everything is on the move preparing for winter. The new bat, the silver haired bat was released successfully and another Western Pipistrelle bat came in and he has since been released as well. Usually, they just need a few days of hydration and food and they can be sent on their way. Thank goodness that is all these two required. Unfortunately there are no pictures of the releases as they were released at nighttime.
I've included a picture of the chipmunks' release here in Price. Hopefully he'll remember this valuable lesson and be more watchful, now that he's been given a second chance.

We have two new patients with us; a first year red-tail hawk from Eagle Mountain, Utah and a first year White-faced Ibis from Santaquin, Utah.
The red-tail, named Kachina by her finder, has an injury to her left humerus that has already healed. I had an x-ray taken to verify what I felt during her intake exam and she's been healing at least 8 weeks at this point. There is no way to fix it, so she is a non-releasable hawk. She was also VERY thin and weak, but is slowly coming up in weight with supportive care. She is actually showing some fight now, which we love and has been tolerating the foods we have been feeding her as she progresses. She needed hydration as well, for several days.
She's like a different hawk! We are working on placement for her once she is healthy enough for that, which will still be a few weeks away.

The Ibis, named Iris by Connie, is a different story. No injuries, but something is seriously wrong. She shows behavior of a neuro nature, whether it is a head injury, which I don't believe is the

problem, but more likely something toxic, like a chemical or some natural toxin, like Botulism. Without running many expensive tests, which may or may not give us the answer, the care is pretty much the same. Fluids, fluids and more fluids. We have to get those kidneys flushing out

all that they can and hope, the damage isn't permanent. She's so sweet and trusting, it's really hard watching her struggle and I'm sure she is aware of everything that is happening to her

which only increases her anxiety level. She is also very thin because of being like this, therefore, not being able to stand and walk to find her food, let alone fly.
I hope we can get her through this.
Debbie.....................

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ATTENTION

Spring is a very active wonderful time for all animals. Babies are born and learning what it takes to be wild from their parents. Unfortunately, many may end up in trouble and often times humans may try to intervene, whether or not it is necessary. The inexperienced human finding a baby bird, for instance, more than likely cannot tell if the bird is truely in need of help, or is learning to fly, something that can take a few days to master. Leaving the baby to learn what it needs is something an experienced birder can spot, but taking that baby home, thinking you're helping, when in fact, it is the worst thing possible for that baby, has now changed it's life forever.
Call a rehabilitator for answers. Yes, we want that baby to be safe from predators, but give that baby a chance. The worst thing that happens in these situations is an improper diet being fed by the 'rescuer'. This will result in death, if not right away, then in time, due to improper development. Different birds require different diets and different amounts of food at different times. Here is where a wildlife rehabilitators knowledge and experience makes all the difference. Don't try to do this yourself, only to attempt to find a rehabilitator as the baby is dying due to your 'efforts'. When they are at this stage, there is very little that can be done AND it is also illegal to attempt raising wildlife. Only a permitted wildlife rehabilitator can do this legally, for we know how to keep them wild and ready for release as well. Making them pets, besides being illegal is very selfish and is not what's best for the wildlife. They need to be free and have learned how to find the food they will need to survive in the wild and know what to avoid and learn the language of their species. There is a lot that goes into a successful rehabilitation and the orphans out there deserve the best chance possible. Don't you agree?

DID YOU KNOW...........

Wildlife rehabilitation is a profession borne of a love and concern for wild things everywhere. We wildlife rehabilitators have taken this many steps forward, increasing our knowledge, skills and techniques into a career that most people do not know exists. Most people assume that the work that a wildlife rehabilitator does is something all state wildlife agencies perform as state employees. This could not be further from the truth.
The reality is, all wildlife rehabilitation is done, in all 50 states, by us, wildlife rehabilitators. State and federal officials MAY occasionally pick up the patients that come to us, but they bring them to us at our homes and facilities, not their state or federal offices or vets offices.
Ours is a specialized field that primarily involves vet/medical expertise. No, we are not veterinarians, but many of us have extensive backgrounds in medicine (people and animals).
We also have vast backgrounds in the natural history of the patients we care for. Our work involves many fields. State and federal wildlife folks just don't have that training or background.
The other aspect of our work that is not known, is that we are not paid by anyone. Our patients don't 'belong' to anyone. They are wild beings. So when they have medical needs, there is no one to step up to this challenge except wildlife rehabilitators. Most of us work basically 24/7. Holidays are no exception. When an animal is hurt, it needs help now!
To top it all off, whatever expenses these patient incure, the bills are paid by us, for vet care, surgeries, medications, all of it. We build their homes and repair them as needed. All of our patients need something. They are not here to visit, they are in trouble. So imagine if you will......going to work everyday, driving your own vehicle to do that work and never getting a paycheck. OK, so maybe you can do that.....now imaging having a source of income from somewhere, now, this is where things get really different. When you get that money, you just turn it over to other people to pay for what your patients need, regardless of your financial needs!
This is wildlife rehabilitation.
We also are constantly pursuing continuous education of the latest finds in our field. We strive to be the best we can for those entrusted to us.
So please, support your wildlife rehabilitator in your area. They need it and believe me, it is very much appreciated.

Wildlife Rehabilitation in Utah/Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation

Friday, September 25, 2009

Where are all these bats coming from...............

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