LWR experienced one of those “wish you’d stood in bed” weeks, with two euthanasias and a DOA spread out over the week. Hopefully this week will be less lethal.
Starting with the falcon, both potential placements fell through, and discussions with DNR and FWS led to their agreement that she was not placeable as an ed or display bird and that she would never have quality of life in captivity—what I’d been saying all along, if y’all recall. As Resee Collins of FWS said, “This bird is trying to tell us that a life in captivity isn’t worth living.” It was agreed that euthanasia was the kindest option for her.
Normally FWS and DNR aren’t involved in a rehabber’s decision to euthanize, but in this case both agencies had become invested in the attempt to place the falcon and so we all worked our separate resources toward that goal. Sadly, it was the falcon’s temperament that was the deciding factor: She had trashed her tail feathers and had a lesion on her cere from slamming into walls, etc. She was not happy in captivity. And sometimes euthanasia is the only release we can offer the birds in our care.
Early in the week, a great horned owl came in, starvation-thin and lethargic. I started small, frequent feedings and thought he might have a chance but he died overnight.
Starting with the falcon, both potential placements fell through, and discussions with DNR and FWS led to their agreement that she was not placeable as an ed or display bird and that she would never have quality of life in captivity—what I’d been saying all along, if y’all recall. As Resee Collins of FWS said, “This bird is trying to tell us that a life in captivity isn’t worth living.” It was agreed that euthanasia was the kindest option for her.
Normally FWS and DNR aren’t involved in a rehabber’s decision to euthanize, but in this case both agencies had become invested in the attempt to place the falcon and so we all worked our separate resources toward that goal. Sadly, it was the falcon’s temperament that was the deciding factor: She had trashed her tail feathers and had a lesion on her cere from slamming into walls, etc. She was not happy in captivity. And sometimes euthanasia is the only release we can offer the birds in our care.
Early in the week, a great horned owl came in, starvation-thin and lethargic. I started small, frequent feedings and thought he might have a chance but he died overnight.
Earlier today, an osprey came in with an open left wing fracture. He was humanely euthanized.
The red tail still favors his left wing but is starting to hold it almost level with his right wing for a few seconds—an improvement, however small. This week he’ll go into the main flight so he’ll have more room to move and hopefully to strengthen that wing for flight.
There will be no update next Sunday, March 31. That’s Easter Sunday and I’ll be spending time with my family.
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