Rfalconcam Forum

LAKE HELEN -- Like many people, City Commissioner Cameron Lane was familiar with SeaWorld's reputation for its work with marine mammals, such as whales and manatees.

But, after his family spotted a sandhill crane in need, he was quite surprised to learn the park also rescues and rehabilitates several of Florida's largest bird species.

"I had no idea," Lane said.

In the 32 years since the park began keeping records, more than 5,000 birds have been treated, including 250 last year and 349 the year before.

More than a month ago, Lane's 11-year-old stepdaughter, Emma Geyer, spotted a sandhill crane wandering around a lake near their home with a blowgun dart in its neck.

"She has an incredible eye for wildlife," Lane said.

The family called around trying to find someone who could help the bird, and, finally, Lane said, someone recommend they call SeaWorld.

In a "series of conversations," park employees advised them to try to keep track of the bird's movements.

Then, one day they received a phone call saying two park employees were going to be able to drive up and try to rescue the crane March 16. By that time the dart had fallen out but the bird still needed medical attention.

"We ran out to the lake and started looking around," Lane said.

With binoculars, his wife, Teresa, spotted the crane on the other side of the lake. Lane went over and kept tabs on the crane until SeaWorld arrived.

"It was kind of exciting," he said. "They were very skilled and did a great job of cornering the crane and catching it."

"I had actually been within about three feet of the crane, but all I ended up with was a mouthful of dirt," he said. "They're quick."

So far this year, the park's avian rehabilitation center has treated 16 sandhill cranes, said Julie Ensor, assistant curator of birds.

Major bird rehabilitators in Central Florida say they split responsibility for caring for large birds. Long-legged waders go to SeaWorld, Ensor said. Birds of prey, such as eagles and hawks, are taken to the Audubon of Florida's Center for Birds of Prey, while Volusia County's Marine Science Center treats seabirds.

When the Lake Helen crane arrived at SeaWorld, a park veterinarian checked the crane's trachea and esophagus to make sure they were working correctly. Ensor said the veterinarian removed tissue built up around the injury and administered antibiotics to prevent infection.

Caretakers feed recovering cranes a mixture of cracked corn, dog food pellets and even mice that have been frozen and thawed.

"Since they are wild," the birds can be really skittish, she said.

The large wading birds are kept in enclosures, off the beaten path and away from park visitors.

"We set them back where there's not a lot of traffic and noise where they can remain calm."

For years, as the Central Florida population grew and pushed into more rural areas, sandhill cranes have become more ubiquitous in suburban neighborhoods and on golf courses. That increasing contact with humans often leaves the cranes with uncomfortable and life-threatening injuries.

"The numbers have increased because we're going out and building homes in the natural environment, and people are more aware of the native wildlife," she said.

Cranes often graze very near the edge of the road, and they often are hit by cars. Ensor said they've also seen cranes with arrows in their chests and nail-gun injuries.

In 2008, the park treated 63 sandhill cranes. Sometimes, the birds wind up losing their wings or have permanent injuries that prevent them from being released into the wild.

In a few months, the Orlando park plans to put out a sandhill-crane display to help park visitors learn more about the gangly birds.

As for the Lake Helen crane, it will be monitored at SeaWorld for another couple of weeks, Ensor said. Then, when the veterinarian clears the bird, it will be released, probably near the point where it was rescued.

Nail gun injuries!!!!  :aaarggh: :snarl:

 
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