Since the March 17 update, LWR has received 18 animals—yep, the busy season has definitely begun!
We’ve had six more squirrels come in: 2 sibs, an “only” and 3 more sibs. Add that to the three we’d already received, and I have nine squirrels now: the original 3 and the 2 sibs are now in pre-pre-release caging; one fragile baby I didn’t expect to make it through his first weekend with me is now in a small indoor cage as he continues to improve, and the latest three sibs are just past pinky stage, about 10-14 days old. See below for more pix.
We’ve had six more squirrels come in: 2 sibs, an “only” and 3 more sibs. Add that to the three we’d already received, and I have nine squirrels now: the original 3 and the 2 sibs are now in pre-pre-release caging; one fragile baby I didn’t expect to make it through his first weekend with me is now in a small indoor cage as he continues to improve, and the latest three sibs are just past pinky stage, about 10-14 days old. See below for more pix.
We're active little rascals these days!
These pinkies are about 14 days old.
The fragile baby was found with his dead sister and wasn’t in real good shape himself when I got him. His breathing was very labored, and his right back leg dangled limply: I was sure it was broken. A trip to Smalley’s Animal Hospital and x-rays proved otherwise, however; in fact, we could find no medical reason for his labored breathing or the dangling leg. Soon-to-be licensed vet Richie Hatcher (who will be returning to Smalley’s this fall when he graduates!) suggested severe bruising to his lungs and leg, so we opted to give him some time to recover. The poor fellow debated whether he wanted to live for several days, but he finally decided life was worthwhile and is doing great now. Since he’s too young to be with the other five and too old for the “baby” babies, he has to remain an “only,” which makes him a little shy, though.
Thanks to Sarah at Smalley's for the photo.
I also received an adult least flycatcher, a small and quite beautiful insectivore, with what appeared to be a small puncture wound to the side of her head. She also appeared to be beak-breathing, which is never good, so once again we made the trip to Smalley’s where, while waiting to be seen, I discovered that the bird’s tongue had nearly been severed. A thorough exam by vet Shelley Baumann revealed that the tongue was not fixable and the head wound was severe enough that the brain was exposed. Our best guess is that she nearly became some Cooper’s or sharp-shinned hawk’s next meal, escaping after the hawk’s talons had punctured the skull and nearly ripped the tongue out. Obviously, the least flycatcher was euthanized.
When I received a call about a red-shouldered hawk with a possible broken wing, the vet clinic was closed for the day, so I picked up the hawk with plans to take him in first thing the next morning. An initial exam revealed no breaks, so I was guessing window-strike and concussion. However, shortly after I got home with the hawk, a first year male, he began having seizures of increasing intensity, screaming through each seizure. I called Steve Hicks of Bubba & Friends raptor rehab for advice, and upon hearing the symptoms, he said I was doing everything that could be done, which was basically try to make him comfortable. He died at 1:15am, after a long night of suffering. When I picked him up to dispose of his body once it was daylight, very watery blood was draining from his beak, leading me to assume he’d eaten a prey animal that had consumed rat poison. I called Steve and described the blood, and he agreed, but suggested I call Smalley’s to confirm. Vet Peggy Hobby agreed with us; it sounded like the poor red shoulder had eaten a mouse that had been into rat poison.
Folks, rat poison and its kin are nasty, nasty ways to kill any animal, as they basically bleed out slowly. As the rat, mouse, pigeon—whatever—that has eaten the poison begins to bleed to death and slows down, it becomes easy prey for raptors, who then die from secondary exposure to the poison. Bottom line—there are much better ways to rid yourself of rats and mice, ways that won’t endanger the raptor population.
A hit-by-car turtle also came in, with extensive damage to its shell. Most of the shell damage looked to be treatable, but the turtle kept bleeding profusely, indicating severe injuries under the shell. Contrary to popular cartoons, turtles cannot leave their shells, so there was no way to treat the internal damage and the turtle was euthanized.
Doves on March 29
Two young mourning doves are at LWR after a young boy stole them from their nest and a concerned neighbor took them from the child and called me. Folks, nesting season is in full swing now, so please be reminded—and remind your friends and neighbors and their children—that disturbing a nest with eggs or young is a violation of federal law. You can attempt to prevent the birds from nesting in a particular location, but once the nest is built, LEAVE IT ALONE. And for goodness’ sake, don’t assume because you don’t see parents that they’ve abandoned their nestlings. I assure you, 90% of the time, the parents are nearby and waiting for you to leave before feeding their babies—and those babies need feeding as often as every 15 minutes, so the longer you stand there delaying the parents’ feeding, the more likely those babies will miss a meal…or several meals. If you’re really worried that the parents have met an untimely end, hide and watch the nest. Everyone I’ve recommended this to has called back within half an hour to report that the parents are indeed feeding their wee ones.
Doves on April 1
This fox kit weighed just 12 oz.
LWR also received a fox kit that was found mixed in with puppies. Apparently Mama Fox was moving her babies and something startled her, causing her to drop this baby—he was certainly too young to be trotting along behind her. Because foxes are rabies vector species (RVS), this little one was transferred to Bonnie Walker of M&W Wildlife Rehabilitation, who is RVS-licensed.
His eyes hadn't been open too terribly long.
The young screech that LWR sent to Steve Hicks last month made his way back to us for release. When possible, Steve sends the raptors that came from this area back here for release, and he sent this little guy back last week. He very obligingly posed for one final shot before flitting silently off into the night.
And just today, the Easter possum visited a family and left them with six very young possums. These babies were probably on their first venture outside the pouch when something startled Mama Possum and she skedaddled, strewing babies all over the caller’s back yard. Unfortunately, there’s no way to reunite possums with Mama—ain’t gonna happen. Possums are such oblivious little critters that I’m not even sure she knew she had babies, much less that she left them behind! Those babies are now at LWR, as well, bless their clueless little hearts.
If the past two weeks are any indication of what the remainder of baby season’s gonna be like, I may be in a straitjacket by fall!
If the past two weeks are any indication of what the remainder of baby season’s gonna be like, I may be in a straitjacket by fall!
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