Wildlife Rehabilitation in Utah/Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation: March 2014

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Great release of both Golden Eagles

For information and many photo's go to our Facebook page.

These birds were not related but were both fledglings from last year. They both had failure to thrive issues and one of the eagles has also been hit by a car. This is where the highway patrol officer came into the story. Rarely does anything get struck by a vehicle and not sustain trauma that requires surgery, but luckily, this bird was one of those rare stories.
One male and one female, they grew stronger and learned to hunt together. Hopefully, regardless of what the reporter said in the story, we hope they stay in that area and stay together as a pair. They are no where near breeding age, so if they stay together, it will be many years before nesting would happen.
They came in within a few days of each other and required almost the same exact plan of care.

Yrma Van Der Steenstraeten releasing one of the Golden eagles at Dead Horse Point State Park near Moab, Utah

Connie handing off the other Golden eagle to Highway Patrol Officer Brian Evans

We care for approximately 20 Golden eagles, once in a while a Bald is part of those numbers, every year. Sadly, the numbers grow every year. From secondary lead poisonings, vehicle strikes, gunshots and West Nile virus, they just keep coming and coming.

There are also the occasional jaw trap cases as well. All of this work as state and federal permitted wildlife rehabilitators is accomplished through donations. Wildlife does not belong to anyone so their are no 'owners' to pay the bills. Sadly, the public also believes that the wildlife agencies in their state or federal wildlife agency helps pay for this or pays for it entirely. This is not the case, not for any wildlife rehabilitator, regardless of the state. This is difficult yet very rewarding work. We also care for many other birds, including other species of raptors and some mammals as well.
We appreciate all the support we have and to those who contribute once reading this, which how could you not after seeing what we do and clearly, the need for it.

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=29002887&nid=148&title=2-rehabilitated-golden-eagles-released-into-wild

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Upcoming release

We will be releasing two Golden eagles this Sunday, March 9th, 2014 in Grand County, Utah at the Dead Horse Point State Park. We will be meeting at the visitors center there at 1PM and then doing the release at the Point, a short distance away. The public is invited to attend and bring cameras. These birds are not related but came in last year, both just newly fledged. Both were suffering from failure to thrive issues, being dehydrated and emaciated. The bird that came from Grand County had also been struck by a car while near the highway. They have both kill tested successfully and are now ready to be released. We should have a pretty good turn out as the weather is suppose to be beautiful that day. Come celebrate with us!

One of the goldens to be released this Sunday.

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, March 11, 2014

Great release of both Golden Eagles

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Upcoming release

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