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January 2009
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Thursday 29 January Release |
Today was the big release day for the Three Stooges. This was conducted with some degree of trepidation, as it was our first release using the 'aviary' method, and for added pressure, the birds were donated to the Centre by our retired vet friend Dr L who was watching our every move via the internet! Kalie was out first; she exited via the new wide door (installed to avoid Mr P's favourite perch). She sat outside eating for a while, then realised there was a new tree to explore and hopped across to it - no turning back now. Kleintjie and Bonnie came out together, probably to see what Kalie was up to. Once out in the open they flew straight round to the old feed station on the front - good news as they clearly had their bearings, not so good because Mr P was waiting to see them off. Long story short, they settled into an uneasy truce and a good feed. We retreated to the house to give them time to adjust. A very short time later, with an almighty clamour of red-lored noise, all four (Mr P included) took off into the air and circled several times around the house and orchard before coming to rest in the taller trees on the hill top. It was quite a sight. The exploring continued for much of the day, but by evening all three had returned to the safety of the orange trees around the aviary and settled in for their first night of freedom. |
 Kalie, first of the three to be released  All three outside...  Freedom! (but you have to look carefully) |
| Sunday 25 January | Over the time the owl has been with us, the family who found him have visited us and expressed an interest in looking after him full-time. The 13 year old rescuer of the family has carried out substantial internet research on this marvellous creature and was well prepared for the years of responsibilty this bird will demand from him. So on Sunday they arrived, gloves at the ready, to take the little guy home. They say they will keep us all updated on the owl's progress, so watch this space! |
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| Wednesday 14 January | We are astounded at the owl's progress. He is hopping on and off his perch now, and helping himself to food from a tray. His beak-snapping has almost ceased entirely (a common 'final warning' signal) as he becomes more used to human interference in his life. There is thankfully no sign of any infection from his wound and he doesn't appear to be worrying the stump at all. It's still early days but it looks as if the little fellow may make it. |
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| Sunday 11 January | The owl is awake and alert and eating well. It was touch and go for a while, especially as the local vets are forced to use the unpredictable drug Ketamine - there are no gas facilities for animals in Belize. But as I write this, Mr Owl is sitting up, alert, and eating and drinking everything we offer (including his strawberry-flavoured antibiotics!). We are not sure what the future holds for a one-winged owl. There are certainly some humane pro-and-con issues to keeping him alive, but, for now, if an owl can possibly be happy - he seems to be... |
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Saturday 10 January Rescue |
Black & White Owl Today we recieved a call from a family in the Cayo District. They had found an owl caught on barbed wire in their garden. They had done absolutely the right thing - removed the bird carefully, put it in a towel-lined box in a quiet, darkened room and called us. Unfortunately, during its time hung up on the wire, this beautiful Black & White owl had chewed at its own wing to get free. It had removed all soft tissue down to the bone around the mid-section of the wing. We visited two vets who both agreed that the wing could never repair itself; the blood supply, nerve, skin and muscle tissue were all gone. The only course of action to save the bird was to amputate below the injury. Dr Burns performed the operation. |
Still can't get the photo out of my phone! |
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Monday 5 January Update | Well, it's the new year and, as promised, thoughts of release for the Three Stooges ( Bonnie, Kalie and Kleintjie) are high on the agenda (shhh, don't tell Dr & Mrs L). The ideal time for a release is early morning -this gives them the entire day to work out what's happened to their security blanket (the aviary wire). However, we have had some very misty mornings which is not particularly conducive to escape, and by the time the mist has cleared the birds have gone into morning-nap mode. Ah well, mañana.... |
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