…to bring you a more timely update.
The scruffy Carolina wrens from the August update were released; the possums and squirrels have a while yet before they’re releasable.
The scruffy Carolina wrens from the August update were released; the possums and squirrels have a while yet before they’re releasable.
Here are four of the six possums. They’ve reached that stage that they’re not always clumped together like this, so I lucked up getting these four in one shot!
Here are three of the squirrels in various stages of repose. Gotta admire the wee one on the left—what a sleeping position!
I’m still a bit shell-shocked from this weekend, when I had three raptors come in in two days, and all three had injuries requiring euthanasia. A first-year Cooper’s hawk had an open wing fracture with a good inch and a half of bone exposed. An adult great horned owl had an open wing fracture and a shattered leg. A sharp-shinned hawk had an open leg fracture—no, that’s not even accurate in his case; the foot was all but ripped off and dangling by the skin. NOT a pleasant weekend…
And then one of the people who brought the Coop actually wanted to argue with me as to the need for euthanasia. People, first off, I’m trained in what I do. I usually know when an animal’s injuries require euthanasia; when I’m not sure, a vet exam and x-rays will help determine the decision. Second, an open wing fracture is always grounds for euthanasia; to attempt to treat it would prolong the bird’s suffering, ultimately resulting in death, anyway. If it’s within my power to spare an animal even an hour of pain and suffering, I’ll do it. And finally, I do not make the decision to euthanize lightly. It comes down to quality versus quantity of life. I don’t play the “I did everything humanly possible and spared no expense” game with either my domestics or the wildlife under my care. That’s an ego trip, and I don’t have an ego where these animals are concerned. I do what’s best for them, period. That’s the whole point, isn’t it??
And then one of the people who brought the Coop actually wanted to argue with me as to the need for euthanasia. People, first off, I’m trained in what I do. I usually know when an animal’s injuries require euthanasia; when I’m not sure, a vet exam and x-rays will help determine the decision. Second, an open wing fracture is always grounds for euthanasia; to attempt to treat it would prolong the bird’s suffering, ultimately resulting in death, anyway. If it’s within my power to spare an animal even an hour of pain and suffering, I’ll do it. And finally, I do not make the decision to euthanize lightly. It comes down to quality versus quantity of life. I don’t play the “I did everything humanly possible and spared no expense” game with either my domestics or the wildlife under my care. That’s an ego trip, and I don’t have an ego where these animals are concerned. I do what’s best for them, period. That’s the whole point, isn’t it??
Okay, off my soapbox. Let’s end on a positive note: the gorgeous little bluebird was released and is loving her newfound freedom. At left and below are some photos of the little beauty.
Hmmm...is that a tasty worm I see?
More food?
I do wish the paparazzi would go away...
This one, despite being a bit of a blue blur, is still one of my favorites. She took off just as I snapped the photo, and I just love the way it looks!
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