Showing posts with label released. Show all posts
Showing posts with label released. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Golden Eagle Released!
Our Golden Eagle treated for signs of dehydration and generalized wasting has been released back to the wild! After being displaced by the Horsehoe Two Fire, the eagle continued to recuperate at the center. After a few days he began to eat great and gained a significant amount of weight and muscle mass. We were able to exercise him in our new flight cage and after a few weeks of regaining his strength he was allowed to go back and roam the skies once again. Thank you for all of your support!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Golden Eagle from Horseshoe Two Fire!
An immature Golden Eagle presented to the Tucson Wildlife Center after a rancher up near the Horseshoe Two Fire called in saying he had found a large bird unable to fly near his property. Golden Eagles can range anywhere from 3-6kg (or 6-13lbs) when fully mature and have a wingspan up to 7 feet (2 meters)! The Golden Eagle population is threatened in North America by loss of habitat and because of exposure to organochlorides and heavy metals (zinc, lead, iron, mercury, etc). Because of this, they are protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and it is extremely important to go to great lengths to save each individual.
Lou Rae, one of the head wildlife rehabilitation specialists, immediately drove from the center to pick up the bird since the rancher described the bird being very lethargic and very easy to catch (concerning when dealing with a Golden Eagle!) On physical examination, the eagle was dehydrated and very thin (2kg, or 4.4lbs). No external injuries were noted on examination. The question we set out to answer was.... How did the eagle become so thin and dehydrated and why was he so easy to catch?
As mentioned above, populations of these large birds have been threatened by habitat destruction, organochlorides, and heavy metal toxicosis. We initially wanted to send out an extensive work-up (full blood work and toxicology screening) but only had enough money to test for blood lead levels. Unfortunately we see and treat a large amount of birds of prey that have been shot at themselves by people (an illegal activity) or eaten an animal that had been shot with bullets containing lead.
We submitted the test to the Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and within a few days the results were back! The golden eagle's lead (Pb) levels were elevated but not within a toxic range (meaning the lead was probably not contributing to the eagle's lethargy and generalized wasting). We suspect that the eagle was doing poorly because it was displaced by the Horseshoe Two Fire.
It would have been useful to run a full blood panel on the bird to take a look at all angles of possible reasons why he could have been so emaciated. A complete blood count would have enabled us to take a look at his red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs). Some birds become anemia (low RBC count) and this can cause lethargy, or the eagle could have had an infection (which would have shown a higher white blood cell count than normal). A biochemistry profile would have been able to help us look at his liver and kidney values to see if these were affected, among other important information. Click the donate button to the right of the screen to help us fund more extensive testing on cases like these! We depend on donations from people like you to help our wildlife....
Nonetheless, we treated with fluid therapy, special medications to help bind any existing lead levels in the blood, and assist feedings. The eagle slowly regained strength and weight and was able to move from our intensive care unit to an outside enclosure. It has acclimated well and continues to show improvements every day! Hopefully soon he will be releasable back to the wild so keep returning for updates!
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| Immature Golden Eagle |
As mentioned above, populations of these large birds have been threatened by habitat destruction, organochlorides, and heavy metal toxicosis. We initially wanted to send out an extensive work-up (full blood work and toxicology screening) but only had enough money to test for blood lead levels. Unfortunately we see and treat a large amount of birds of prey that have been shot at themselves by people (an illegal activity) or eaten an animal that had been shot with bullets containing lead.
We submitted the test to the Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and within a few days the results were back! The golden eagle's lead (Pb) levels were elevated but not within a toxic range (meaning the lead was probably not contributing to the eagle's lethargy and generalized wasting). We suspect that the eagle was doing poorly because it was displaced by the Horseshoe Two Fire.
It would have been useful to run a full blood panel on the bird to take a look at all angles of possible reasons why he could have been so emaciated. A complete blood count would have enabled us to take a look at his red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs). Some birds become anemia (low RBC count) and this can cause lethargy, or the eagle could have had an infection (which would have shown a higher white blood cell count than normal). A biochemistry profile would have been able to help us look at his liver and kidney values to see if these were affected, among other important information. Click the donate button to the right of the screen to help us fund more extensive testing on cases like these! We depend on donations from people like you to help our wildlife....
Nonetheless, we treated with fluid therapy, special medications to help bind any existing lead levels in the blood, and assist feedings. The eagle slowly regained strength and weight and was able to move from our intensive care unit to an outside enclosure. It has acclimated well and continues to show improvements every day! Hopefully soon he will be releasable back to the wild so keep returning for updates!
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| Rescue, Rehab, and Release |
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Hit-By-Car American Kestrel
* Click on the links embedded in the story for more detailed explanations and stories.
An adult, male American Kestrel presented to the Tucson Wildlife Center (TWC) shortly after being hit by a car. The kestrel was hunting near Wentworth and Speedway area when he was found near the side of the road and stunned. When he arrived at TWC he was barely responsive and disoriented and couldn't use his feet! He was in a state of shock and we were very concerned with him possibly having neurologic trauma (injury to his brain and spinal cord).
He was a well-muscled bird and had no signs of fractures or other external injuries on physical examination. Fluids were administered immediately and he was transferred to a dark, warm incubator with oxygen supplementation.
The next day, the Kestrel was brighter in his cage and able to walk. Radiographs (x-rays) were performed and were normal. Pain medication was given along with additional fluids (to keep him well hydrated). He also was very interested in food (always a good sign)!
As time continued, the Kestrel continued to show signs of improvement and was introduced to an outdoor enclosure to let him spread his wings. He was also introduced to a female American Kestrel (who had broken her wing a few weeks previous and was still on the mend). As an interesting side-note, American Kestrels are sexually dimorphic, meaning that the males and females look different from each other! The male started flying well on his own and within a few weeks was able to be released back into the wild. The female was also released at the same site since her fractured wing healed and had gotten along so well with the male.
An adult, male American Kestrel presented to the Tucson Wildlife Center (TWC) shortly after being hit by a car. The kestrel was hunting near Wentworth and Speedway area when he was found near the side of the road and stunned. When he arrived at TWC he was barely responsive and disoriented and couldn't use his feet! He was in a state of shock and we were very concerned with him possibly having neurologic trauma (injury to his brain and spinal cord).
He was a well-muscled bird and had no signs of fractures or other external injuries on physical examination. Fluids were administered immediately and he was transferred to a dark, warm incubator with oxygen supplementation.
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| Oxygen supplemented incubator |
The next day, the Kestrel was brighter in his cage and able to walk. Radiographs (x-rays) were performed and were normal. Pain medication was given along with additional fluids (to keep him well hydrated). He also was very interested in food (always a good sign)!
As time continued, the Kestrel continued to show signs of improvement and was introduced to an outdoor enclosure to let him spread his wings. He was also introduced to a female American Kestrel (who had broken her wing a few weeks previous and was still on the mend). As an interesting side-note, American Kestrels are sexually dimorphic, meaning that the males and females look different from each other! The male started flying well on his own and within a few weeks was able to be released back into the wild. The female was also released at the same site since her fractured wing healed and had gotten along so well with the male.
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| Male (front) and Female (back) American Kestrel |
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