Wildlife Rehabilitation in Utah/Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation: November 2009

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Finally.....a new posting

Well, I'm sure you've all noticed the change of the blog template. I'm not happy about it, but it's entirely my fault. In trying to change something, I completely deleted the old 'look'. I don't know how it happened since I was just looking around at a possible tab addition and voila! I had this template saved from a while ago and although I like it, it's not at all the old one and since I'm not computer savvy at all, well, until someone with amazing talent volunteers to help with some computer work, it will have to do, but it's only temporary.
So I'm mad, but only at myself!
A lot to update you on.
First, Rojo, the young golden eagle was finally released! We tossed him at an area in Emery county called Horse Canyon. A local Iraq vet, Joe Tryon, did the honors. The next blog will show those pictures as the other updates listed will contain pic's and I don't want to crowd this post.

The 3 robins are FINALLY in Florida. Yes, the paperwork came through (thank you Federal people) so at 6 AM one morning, they were put on a flight to Florida. I'm so happy they can have this new life and didn't have to be put down. My volunteer Diane paid for their travel expenses since Lori, their new caregiver, was not able to cover them as custom usually dictates.

We had a ring-neck dove come in that a cat had tangled with. I wasn't sure if the bird could survive, but with time and a lot of medication, she sure did and was released at Connie's house. She also had a broken leg and we let it heal without surgery as the feet do not have to be perfect as for a raptor. Once the pain subsided, she was putting weight on it and we could clearly see, she would be just fine.

More Mexican Free-Tailed bats have come in. We were able to release all of them.

When I was in Salt Lake getting the robins on their way, another MFT bat came in so I just had Marc, my new sub-permittee take over with that one since it was there in Salt Lake and he released it the next day. Thank goodness, most of these bat calls require hydration 1 or 2 times and

can be on their way. I hope they all are in a much warmer climate enjoying themselves.

Cleo, the golden eagle that went through a windshield here in Carbon county has been to the optical vets and my regular vets to repeat blood work. She will be headed to the

optical vets again this Friday. Hopefully, we'll get the OK on her eye condition and then she

will shortly be released. Her blood work looked great.

Kachina is doing very well. We still need at least one sponser for her so if you can help with this, you won't be sorry. We'll send you personal updates and a photo of her. Right now, she's in Moab with my volunteer Dave. He's working with her, getting her used to being handled by people. She's an amazing bird and has been through a great deal. Please contact me at secondchancewildliferehab@yahoo.com if you can help with her expenses with a donation.

Well, I'd better get to posting pictures, so thanks for being so patient. If anyone out there can help with computer (web-site) design, please let me know. Of course, we run soley on donations and are non-profit.

Debbie...........

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

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Finally.....a new posting

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