Monday, November 15, 2010

This Week at Liberty 11/15/2010

The intake total for the year is now at 3134.
We're now at the point where some days go by with relatively no new arrivals at the window - or brought in by the rescue team. But there are are always animals getting in trouble and the slower pace allow us all to catch our breath. The annual Liberty Volunteer Appreciation Picnic was well attended yesterday and the weather was perfect. The only somber note was the news that the bald eagle from the Verde Canyon had died the night before.
Sometimes, there's just not enough magic...
Some of the early arrivals at the Pera Club.
We never seem to run low on food for everyone...
Dr.Wyman, Anita, Jan, and Mary and Carl Price were among the attendees.
Even a few special guests showed up!
Each year, we put on a picnic for our volunteers, in lieu of a holiday party. The weather always seems to cooperate and this year was no exception. We provide food, drinks, prizes, games, and best of all, the chance to get together with some of the other wonderful volunteers with whom you might not be able to socialize the rest of the busy year. Thanks to all who came out and all who helped put on the affair!
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An obvious head trauma.
Louise helps Jan assess the wounded RTH.
More damage is discovered.
Jan aligns the freshly broken bones.
Louise and Rhea help Jan with the injured hawk.
A custom splint is drawn and cut.
The bird is a good patient as he is wrapped by caring hands.
A red tailed hawk came in from the far east valley last week with some head trauma and a broken wing. The break was very fresh and is a good candidate for pinning as soon as his head injury allows for surgery. It's dangerous to use general anesthetic on a bird who has damage to his head so he'll have to wait until he shows signs of stabilization from that before an operation on his wing can be attempted.
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The little barn owl goes under.
With the intubation tube in place, he's ready.
The previously installed pin is seen in the X-ray.
Dr. Orr examines the wing.
The pin is found and extracted.
A stainless steel life saver!
Rhea works the "Recovery Room" detail.
The little (and I mean "Little!") barn owl that had a steel pin inserted into his broken wing a few weeks ago has healed well enough for the pin to be removed. Actually, it HAD to be removed since it was beginning to interfere with the joints in his wing. Dr. Orr, assisted by Jan, Rhea, and Sharon performed the surgery last week and unscrewed the rod from the little guys wing. Hopefully he will have some if not all of his flight ability back when he heals from the latest procedure.
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A young turkey vulture comes in from the Show Low area.
Dr.Orr confirms it's an old fracture.
He's a kid, just starting out in life.
Some nice folks up in the Show Low/Pine Top area found an injured turkey vulture last week. They brought him to Tempe and Tony finished up the relay to Liberty. He was examined and determined to have an old, healed fracture of his right wing. It probably took a few weeks for this ti heal by itself and in the meantime, he was able to sustain himself somehow, but got left behind in the migration. Without adult guidance, he was starving. He will be fed well, and observed to determine his flight ability and hopefully released if he is able to successfully aviate on his own.
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The big girl embarks on another journey...
Sadly, the big bald eagle from the Verde Canyon Rail Road died last Saturday evening, despite heroic efforts and near round-the-clock care. It had been an up-and-down struggle giving us hope at first, but the lead poisoning which took her out of the sky finally stilled her valiant heart. Now after a short life, she is on her final flight, heading for places we cannot yet follow. Farewell, young lady...May all the fish be fat and tasty.

5 comments:

clare said...

Long may you soar beautiful lady!

Naomi said...

Very touching and written beautifully, so sad..

Dorothy said...

Good bye Big Girl. You brought so much hope with you. The fight continues.
Dorothy

Julia said...

Big Girl, you have left an impact in many people's lives. You are a true poster bird for promoting the exclusive use of non lead ammunition through out the world.

Tricia said...

"Jumping Mouse..I give you a new name. You are now called Eagle, and you will live in the far-off land forever."

(John Steptoe, "The Story of Jumping Mouse")