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PAWS
Mailing Address:
PO Box 1037
Lynnwood WA, 98046
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Lynnwood, WA 98087
A
Chance for the Future
by Kevin Mack, PAWS Wildlife Naturalist
On March 18th, Red-tailed Hawk 06-0246 arrived at the PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center after being found on the ground in Tukwila. Weak and disoriented, the bird had been easily captured by a concerned citizen who noticed her plight. It was not readily apparent what had led to the bird’s condition. When she was examined at PAWS, bruising was found on both her neck and abdomen, and the bird was bleeding from her vent. She was extremely anemic and in shock, and her body temperature was about six degrees below normal. On top of everything else, a well-formed egg could be felt in the bird’s lower abdomen. It was clear that in her weakened state, the hawk would be unable to pass the egg, but the most pressing need was to address the bird’s shock and stabilize her. The egg would have to wait.
For
the next three days hawk 06-0246 was given
intravenous fluids and supportive care. Her
white blood cell count was elevated, so antibiotics
were administered to combat any possible infections.
Because she was having difficulty digesting
solid food, the bird was tube-fed a liquid
diet and given medications to assist with digestion.
Radiographs were taken and no fractures were
found, but the hawk’s well-formed egg
was clearly visible on the X-ray films. On
March 21st, the hawk was given an IV injection
of a blood replacement product to help her
while her anemia was resolving. Her oviduct
was infused with a lubricating jelly and a
warm, moist compress was applied to her abdomen
during the procedure. Two days later, the bird
appeared to be gaining strength, but she had
still not laid her egg.
On March 24th the Red-tailed Hawk was anesthetized and new radiographs were taken. The resulting films showed that her egg had not changed position. Since continued retention of the egg posed a health risk for the bird, the time had come to remove the egg manually. PAWS wildlife veterinarian Dr. John Huckabee and volunteer veterinarian Dr. Mala Erickson again infused the hawk’s oviduct with lubricating jelly. Dr. Erickson then manipulated the egg in an attempt to extract it. The shell collapsed allowing the egg to be removed. The oviduct was then flushed with saline to remove any remaining shell fragments or egg contents.
For
several weeks following the removal of the
egg, hawk 06-0246 continued to improve. She
began eating solid food again and had no further
difficulties with digestion. Her anemia began
to improve and her strength increased. She
was moved into a small outdoor aviary where
she regained her ability to fly. A few weeks
later, with her white blood cell count back
to normal and her anemia completely resolved,
it was time for her to return home to Tukwila.
On
May 9 h I drove hawk 06-0246 to Fort Dent
Park and placed her transport carrier in an
open field surrounded by trees. She had been
found in an area adjacent to the park, and
since she was carrying an egg when she was
discovered I assumed that she had a nest and
a mate nearby. After making a quick survey
to ensure there weren’t any immediate
dangers in the area, I opened the door to the
transport carrier and stepped back. After a
moment’s hesitation the sound of movement
came from the carrier and the hawk exited and
took flight in one continuous motion. Her wings
reached their full three-foot spread and her
brilliant rust-colored tail fanned out as she
circled off to the left toward a fir tree.
A nearby crow gave chase, but abandoned his
pursuit when the hawk landed in the thick branches
of the fir. For a moment the crow sat close
by and protested the hawk's presence with loud
caws. He eventually flew away, presumably because
no one else in his clan was responding to his
battle cry.
The
former PAWS patient sat quietly on her perch
for several minutes as a variety of bird alarm
calls emanated from the vegetation close by.
Eventually, she flew out from among the branches
and turned east towards a distant stand of
tall trees. As she disappeared into the trees,
I hoped she was heading toward a waiting mate.
She had lost her egg and spent much of the
breeding season recovering from her illness,
but she was alive, strong and healthy. Although
she and her mate would likely raise no young
this year, they would now have a chance to
try again in the future.
Fifty-five animals were released between April 2nd and May 17th 2006. Thanks to all of you for helping to make these releases possible!
Wildlife Releases: April 2 - May 17, 2006
95
wild animals have been released since the
beginning of 2006.
Thanks to all of you for helping to make these releases
possible!
All rights reserved. ©2006 Progressive Animal Welfare Society
A
Northwest leader in protecting animals since
1967, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society
(PAWS) shelters homeless animals, rehabilitates
injured and orphaned wildlife, and empowers
people to demonstrate compassion and respect
for animals in their daily lives.
