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Releases of all kinds

9/26/2016

6 Comments

 
​As I’ve pointed out numerous times, release can come in various forms for wildlife. Too often, it’s in the form of euthanasia; sometimes the wildlife relieves us of the decision by simply dying. And, of course, we have the glorious releases. Last week had all three forms of release.
 
The second paralyzed red-tail never improved; her feet stayed tightly balled and actually started turning black, although there was no gangrenous smell. Vets Peggy Hobby and Richie Hatcher were as stymied as I was on this one, but given the deterioration in her feet and the failure to respond to treatment for the paralysis, we opted for euthanasia.
 
The common nighthawk also showed no improvement; in fact, the follow-up x-ray of his wing showed a worsening of the fracture and no callus formation at all. Given the increased displacement, we again opted for euthanasia.
Picture
​In better news, we had several releases: another mourning dove, the remaining house finch, the Carolina wren (who has been released five times now and keeps slipping back in through the escape hatch when it’s open…) and the barred owl the police department left at Smalley’s.
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​I knew this male ruby-throated hummer was in trouble when he arrived with feathers fluffed and making no attempt to move; he never perked back up and refused to eat as far as I ever saw, even when his bill was dipped into the feeder—a common method to encourage a stressed hummer to eat. The poor fellow died during the night.
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​Near the end of the week, yet another barred owl came in, a young male. He’d been observed sitting in the middle of the street in a busy residential area, and after he didn’t move from that spot for a couple of hours, rescuers stepped in to get the owl to safety. Fortunately, he had no broken bones and was quite feisty upon arrival at LWR, but he appears to have soft tissue damage, as an attempted release after a couple of days’ observation ended with him fluttering to the ground. The photo below is after I picked him back up; he was NOT a happy camper.
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​And late this evening, this adorable little fellow arrived. He was found in a horse stall; his finder reported no nest that she’d noticed but is checking tomorrow to make sure. Flying squirrels are honestly pretty much the only reason I keep my small mammal permit current; if not for these little rascals, I’d be perfectly content to focus solely on birds!
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6 Comments
Ann Feldman
9/27/2016 12:44:04 pm

That wren has decided she wants to be a pet! By the way I saw something odd yesterday and wondered if you'd ever seen similar: a young male Kestrel was sitting in a tree,when a Flicker chased him off the branch. The Kestrel tried at least twice to reclaim his spot, with no luck. I thought this was unusual.

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Laurens Wildlife Rescue
9/27/2016 01:47:50 pm

Apparently the fifth time was the charm, Ann; she hasn't been hanging around the flight pen lately! Flickers are in the woodpecker family, and woodpeckers can be pretty mean--and a young kestrel would be a bit unsure of himself when attacked by a determined flicker, so...unusual, yes; unheard-of, no.

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Sally
9/27/2016 02:02:26 pm

Good for barred owl finally out on his own! (and good for you :) Sorry about hummingbird, common nighthawk and the redtail, but they mercifully ended up in your knowledgeable care at the end. The wee flying squirrel is too adorable. Perhaps his nest will be found; if not, he is a fortunate flyer to be with LWR!

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Laurens Wildlife Rescue
9/27/2016 02:16:37 pm

Thanks Sally! Now if we can just get this other barred, the Coop and the screech released...Yeah, flyers turn otherwise sane, rational rehabbers into squeeing fools. I've yet to talk to another rehabber who doesn't have that reaction to the little darlings!

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Saidhbhin
9/28/2016 01:57:07 pm

So very thankful for you and your amazing work. The thrill of a successful release, the joy of a tiny soul such as the Flying Squirrel ... must do a lot to balance out the heartbreak and keep you going. You're awesome, and I thank God for you and your beautiful posts ... even the sad news. {{{HUGS}}} <3

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Laurens Wildlife Rescue
9/28/2016 04:02:20 pm

Thanks Saidh!

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