De Mortel - Netherlands

[Kris G.]

Posted on BCAW-Google translation:

9.112011 11:39 p.m.
VOGELWERKGROEP GEMERT

Preliminary research peregrine falcon prosecution S2

Gemert, Monday, September 12, 2011

The investigation into the investigation and prosecution of the perpetrator responsible for the shooting of the Peregrine S2 is in full swing. According to a short feedback we recently received from the police.

The VWG Gemert has also written a letter which addressed various agencies to be informed of the bird of prey persecution in our area and the peregrine S2 in particular.

We now have a conversation with the Department ZLTO Gemert and contact with the municipality of Gemert, Forestry Commission and the Brabant landscape. The above agencies will dissociate from raptor persecution.


Below is the letter we sent to the relevant authorities.

On the Town Gemert
To Forestry Commission
At Brabant Landscape
At ZLTO, Department Gemert
At the WBE Helmond
Diana Hunter on Society

Gemert, August 2011

Dear Sir / Madam,

End of July 2011, the peregrine falcon with ring number S2, known for the Spring Experience, from the air shot in Gemert. It is yet another case of bird of prey persecution in recent years by Vogelwerkgroep Gemert was found. There are already several dead buzzards and hawks' nests are found almost every year and it shot through with hail.

Now is the most common of Peregrine Netherlands has become the victim (see also http://www.vwggemertslechtvalk.nl) is the last straw for us and we ask your attention to the birds of prey persecution in Gemert.

Gemert Vogelwerkgroep the inventory of the various species of raptors in its field. It is regularly observed persecution of raptors. This is reported to the local police, but finding out the culprit is very difficult. We have no more than suspicions but no proof. We can and will therefore not accuse certain groups, especially because it was probably the work of a few individuals. On the other hand, we can no longer ensure that raptors are persecuted and we ask your cooperation on this issue that affects your organization. We note that these interests are violated:

Important biodiversity
Raptors are at the top of the food pyramid and their presence is therefore a sign of sufficient nutrients and good biodiversity. In addition, selective hunting birds of prey, while first if weak so get on the prey population just stay healthy. Apparently this is not universally understood and raptors are seen by some as a competitor and therefore persecuted.

Image Gemert
Gemert is in bad light. Peregrine S2 has a lot of publicity for Gemert brought with it several million followers in the world. Unfortunately distributes the negative publicity now worldwide such as shown by donations we have received from eg USA, Canada, Finland, Belgium and Italy to contribute to the cost of the operation and recovery of S2.

Interests landowners
The bird of prey persecution takes place everywhere, even in areas owned by the municipality include, Forestry and Landscape Brabants. This is also the interests of the relevant landowners harmed.

Interests yacht owners
Now Peregrine S2 is found shot, the suspect quickly towards the hunters. Although we have never spoken or acknowledged it is often suggested and get the yacht owners in Gemert as a whole in a bad light.

Agricultural Importance
Raptors play a useful role for agriculture. Thus, a peregrine falcon hunting in areas where pigeon occurs much more effective than damage control with the rifle. At damage control are therefore more ally than competitor raptors. It is distressing that a cornfield near S2 precisely what was found at that time, pigeons were shot for pest control.

We believe that one or more of the aforementioned interests also affect your organization. We therefore ask you to address the problem of raptor persecution in Gemert to give attention it deserves and the subject to raise in your dealings with the possible offender groups. Not with a finger (since there are no proofs) but from your interest that is harmed. The topic of get the crowd which is now happening, we hope, with you, the persecution of raptors in Gemert in the future. Within our area we are conscientious raptor persecution to follow, document and will always be reported to the police. To this end, we will now actively seek publicity and bring this information into the public domain.

We would be happy to further explain this letter and invite you to confront us to contact.

A copy of this letter we send to BirdLife Netherlands, The Netherlands Peregrine Group, the KNJV and the FBE of North Brabant.

Sincerely,
The board of the Vogelwerkgroep Gemert

@VWG Gemert

[Donna]

Good for them being Gung Ho on finding the shooters and  !!!

[MAK]

  Go get'em! 

[jeanne]

Good for them!  Shows the impact of watchers too!

[Kris G.]

Update:

S2 Week 38

Gemert, September 24, 2011

At the end of next week, the peregrine S2 will once again visit the vets Caroline Hommers and Dirk Riemersma. Once again X-rays will be taken, and these images will be used to consider whether the pins can be removed. S2 will be anesthetized again, which does entail a certain amount of extra risk. There is still a small chance that the peregrine S2 can heal from her injuries.

At the moment, she is obviously still in the care of the bird sanctuary. The peregrine falcon is now receiving less food; she needs to lose weight, and if she is hungry enough to attack the prey eagerly, this is an indication that she is not being given too much food.

Hopefully we can end next week with positive messages, including pictures and movies of S2.

Thanks for your support.

VWG Gemert

Wonder what it means by "still a small chance" that S2 will heal from her injuries?

[MAK]

  Well that doesn't sound too encouraging! We just have to wait and see! 

[Kris G.]

Posted on BCAW:

This morning S2 underwent surgery, performed by Caroline Hommers and Dirk Riemersma (he is an expert on orthopedic surgery).
The fixating pins were removed from her wing and the broken bones are healing well. Most of all the fact that the bone parts are in the right positions is very encouraging and gives us hope that she will recover completely and can be released back to the wild, near Gemert (De Mortel).
Later this weekend, maybe even tonight, more information and images will be posted on this site.
Right now we will take her back to the bird-shelter where she can recover from the surgery.
                                                 

Also pics were posted showing that Pa has moved on. 

[Annette]

 

[Donna]

Posted on BCAW:

This morning S2 underwent surgery, performed by Caroline Hommers and Dirk Riemersma (he is an expert on orthopedic surgery).
The fixating pins were removed from her wing and the broken bones are healing well. Most of all the fact that the bone parts are in the right positions is very encouraging and gives us hope that she will recover completely and can be released back to the wild, near Gemert (De Mortel).
Later this weekend, maybe even tonight, more information and images will be posted on this site.
Right now we will take her back to the bird-shelter where she can recover from the surgery.
                                                   Good news for S2.

Also pics were posted showing that Pa has moved on.    This NOT good news!

[Kris G.]

Video of S2 getting her "fixation" removed:

http://youtu.be/wJRo7_wPM_I

[MAK]

  Thanks Kris that was very cool!  After all they've done for S2 I can't see how they could possibly put her down. You would think she could be an education bird somewhere on this planet. 

[Donna]

Report: Removing the fixation from the peregrine S2

Gemert, Saturday, October 1, 2011

Exactly eight weeks after the veterinarians Caroline Hommers and Dirk Riemersma performed surgery on the fractures in the peregrine S2's wing, she was treated again today by veterinarians. The double break in the forearm seems to be healing well, the pins were removed and the falcon may begin to use her wing gradually.

The treatment was begun by taking some X-rays. From these, it was clearly visible to the two veterinarians that the bones had grown together well, and it was decided to remove the fixation.

S2 was first anesthetized and the remains of the dressing and its connection were removed with forceps, to the extent that the falcon had not already done so herself in recent weeks. It became clear that the swelling which was present 8 weeks ago around the area of the fracture in the wing has now almost completely disappeared. Therefore space had been created on both sides between the wing and the resin with which the pins were fixed. That made it easier for Dirk to insert the forceps below the resin; the pins were cut and the fixation was removed.

Subsequently, the remains of the pins in the wing on one side were disinfected with iodine. This was done to prevent the possibility of an infection which might be caused if they were pulled through the wing. Then the pins on the other side were pulled out with forceps. Some pins were tight, a good sign that it has been properly fixed. Finally, the wounds were smeared with ointment, some X-rays were taken and within a half hour S2 was back in the transport crate before she had even completely come around from the anesthesia and realized what had happened.

According to Dirk and Caroline, the X-rays showed that the pieces of bone have fused back together correctly. In particular, the ulna, from different viewing directions, is in a beautiful line. The small "triangle" is a little higher, but will over time revert further to its original shape. The two halves of the radius have also fused back together. From one viewing direction, this is quite well in line, but when seen from another viewing direction something seems to "skip" a little.

What this now means is that we will just have to wait and see. First, the falcon needs to get used to the fact the that fixation has been removed and that for the first time she can hold her wings in a normal position. It is very important that they align, that the wing is fully symmetrical with the other wing, and that she carries the shoulders and wing tips at exactly the same height. Also, she will need a few weeks for the holes in the bone to close before she will be able to put any stress on her wing. When that time comes, she can move to a larger aviary and begin to work on her conditioning to build muscle strength and endurance and show whether she can fly again. If everything goes well, then more training will follow to bring her back to complete fitness.

In short, there are still steps to be taken. And although all of these may have a chance of a negative outcome, we remain optimistic at this time. There is a slightly greater chance that S2 can return to the wild.

Later this weekend, a video will be posted of the removal of the fixation, and photographs will be added to the album.

VWG Gemert

Hoping for a complete recovery for this courageous, beautiful peregrine. The update sounds encouraging.

[Donna]

Date said today! Pa and his new girl, OR2.

[MAK]

Report: Removing the fixation from the peregrine S2

Gemert, Saturday, October 1, 2011

Exactly eight weeks after the veterinarians Caroline Hommers and Dirk Riemersma performed surgery on the fractures in the peregrine S2's wing, she was treated again today by veterinarians. The double break in the forearm seems to be healing well, the pins were removed and the falcon may begin to use her wing gradually.

The treatment was begun by taking some X-rays. From these, it was clearly visible to the two veterinarians that the bones had grown together well, and it was decided to remove the fixation.

S2 was first anesthetized and the remains of the dressing and its connection were removed with forceps, to the extent that the falcon had not already done so herself in recent weeks. It became clear that the swelling which was present 8 weeks ago around the area of the fracture in the wing has now almost completely disappeared. Therefore space had been created on both sides between the wing and the resin with which the pins were fixed. That made it easier for Dirk to insert the forceps below the resin; the pins were cut and the fixation was removed.

Subsequently, the remains of the pins in the wing on one side were disinfected with iodine. This was done to prevent the possibility of an infection which might be caused if they were pulled through the wing. Then the pins on the other side were pulled out with forceps. Some pins were tight, a good sign that it has been properly fixed. Finally, the wounds were smeared with ointment, some X-rays were taken and within a half hour S2 was back in the transport crate before she had even completely come around from the anesthesia and realized what had happened.

According to Dirk and Caroline, the X-rays showed that the pieces of bone have fused back together correctly. In particular, the ulna, from different viewing directions, is in a beautiful line. The small "triangle" is a little higher, but will over time revert further to its original shape. The two halves of the radius have also fused back together. From one viewing direction, this is quite well in line, but when seen from another viewing direction something seems to "skip" a little.

What this now means is that we will just have to wait and see. First, the falcon needs to get used to the fact the that fixation has been removed and that for the first time she can hold her wings in a normal position. It is very important that they align, that the wing is fully symmetrical with the other wing, and that she carries the shoulders and wing tips at exactly the same height. Also, she will need a few weeks for the holes in the bone to close before she will be able to put any stress on her wing. When that time comes, she can move to a larger aviary and begin to work on her conditioning to build muscle strength and endurance and show whether she can fly again. If everything goes well, then more training will follow to bring her back to complete fitness.

In short, there are still steps to be taken. And although all of these may have a chance of a negative outcome, we remain optimistic at this time. There is a slightly greater chance that S2 can return to the wild.

Later this weekend, a video will be posted of the removal of the fixation, and photographs will be added to the album.

VWG Gemert

Hoping for a complete recovery for this courageous, beautiful peregrine. The update sounds encouraging.

Thanks Donna and Kris for the updates and videos of S2! 

[Kris G.]

Demortel in now on Ustream:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/slechtvalkdemortel#id9353220