The intake total for the year is now at 236.
I'm baaaack! A big update this week as we see some of the latest arrivals, the uptick in babies at the facility, and two surgeries: a desert tortoise, and a condor! Plus, the 2011 Born 2 B Wild motorcycle run was a big hit with all who attended! (It was photographed by Alan SPencer and Lesley Guenther. Thanks, you two!!)
An excited crowd at Cody's in Carefree. (Photo by Lesley Guenther)
The 2011 Born 2 B Wild motorcycle run was held yesterday under absolutely perfect weather conditions (remember last year...?) Everything went well and the large contingency of bike riders all seemed to have a great time before, during, and after the ride.
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OK, so peach-faced lovebirds are NOT natives, but there is a substantial colony living in Scottsdale, many right outside of Liberty. We don't usually treat any non-natives, and we certainly don't release them to the wild. But these helpless little baby birds were brought to us for care and since they have a good chance of carrying a disease that proliferates through the psittacine community (Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, or PBFD), every one we get is tested. If they test negative, these little guys will be taken by volunteers who wish to raise them as pets, never to be released.
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Carl Price brought in a beautiful barn owl today. The bird's chest and underparts are almost entirely white, devoid of the "poppy seed" markings and shading that one normally sees on barn owls. Presenting no overt trauma, the bird was checked for canker and was placed in a brooder for close observation. Hopefully, it can be released soon as he would produce some gorgeous offspring!
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A bedraggled (and very dehydrated) desert tortoise came in last week. It had been attacked by a dog who had chewed most of it's left rear leg off. When threatened, desert tortoises pull their legs, tail, and head inside their shell for protection. This little guy was either too late or the dog too persistent. Tortoises can live with only three legs -they're not going anyplace fast! - but the end had to be surgically amputated to heal properly. Dr. Orr performed the surgery and now he is resting and rehydrating while in convalescence. ALPO II, the Sequel!
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Hogan has some help this year as Wyatt, the GHO that came in from Tombstone last year has joined the foster parent team. We're still not certain if Wyatt is a male or a female, but filling the role of foster parent seems to be a natural for him/her. This may allow Hogan to take it a little easier this season.
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Scavenger or not, he is one beautiful animal!
When condor #122 came in a few months ago, his crop was in sad shape: not functioning and full of rotten food. Dr.Orr opened it up and this time, left it open to clean it more easily, and to keep from inserting a tube that might irritate the tissue. As the lead level dropped and the crop began working, the opening began to close on it's own. But with release imminent, Dr.Orr decided to close the wound, and while doing so, remove the mass of scar tissue that had formed around the opening. This was accomplished last Tuesday afternoon and the operation was a complete success. By Saturday he was again in top health and was taken north to the hack station on the Vermillion Cliffs northeast of the Grand Canyon. Another condor success!
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