De Mortel - Netherlands

[AlisonL]

The news about the tragic loss of S2 is absolutely devastating. She was so close to being able to go home and reunite with Pa, and now she will never have that chance. I am still in shock and disbelief about what has happened.

I just finished translating the post on the site:

The peregrine S2 has died unexpectedly

Gemert, Sunday, October 14, 2012

The peregrine S2 died unexpectedly earlier this week. A necropsy by a veterinarian has revealed that her death is the result of an invasion of fly larvae. Everyone involved is very upset by the death of S2. This feeling is further exacerbated by the fact that she was on the verge of making a successful return to the wild.

The well known peregrine S2, who since 2007 successfully raised her chicks at the nest on the tower at De Mortel, was found last year with a fractured wing. Upon closer examination, it became clear that the wing fracture was caused by a shotgun. The veterinarian Caroline Hommers, along with Dirk Riemersma. successfully performed surgery to repair the wing fracture. After several months, the injured wing had made a good recovery. The release of S2 was postponed until this fall. Her place on the tower had in the meantime been taken over by another peregrine, and we wanted to protect her from a territorial battle.

Under the authority of the Someren bird sanctuary, the peregrine was provided with accommodations in a quiet environment where she could continue to recover and go through her annual molt, while awaiting her release. Last month, she was moved from there to a falconer for the final phase of the rehabilitation process. The falconer would work to correct the loss of conditioning resulting from her captivity. Then she would be able to catch prey for herself.

The falconer, who is very knowledgeable and experienced with peregrine falcons, was on the verge of beginning the training. This was delayed until the last flight feathers had grown in completely. It was believed that S2 could fly well, and that her release could reasonably take place within a few weeks.

The falconer found the peregrine falcon dead one morning earlier this week. S2 had eaten the previous evening, and had shown no sign of illness. Raptors usually show signs of illness only at a very late stage, because in the wild they cannot afford to appear ill. Even if they should recover from an illness after a few days, in the wild they are by then so weakened by lack of food that they are no longer able to catch prey and often will not survive. The probability is great that the predators will then themselves become victims. For these reasons they will continue on to the bitter end.

Upon closer examination by the falconer, it appeared that the lower part of the body was affected. Precisely because the falcon was given a rest to complete her molt, the damage was hidden by the feathers and the falcon herself had shown no sign of illness that he could detect. The falconer is very upset about what happened to this very special bird, at this stage, while she was in his care.

The peregrine S2 was then transferred to the veterinarian Caroline Hommers to be examined. She found that the cause of death was the result of an invasion of maggots or fly larvae, called Myiasis. At a certain stage of their lives, the larvae feed on the dead or living tissue of a host. Maggots usually live in cadavers, but may also invade living tissue, primarily through an open wound. An adult fly lays eggs in the site, which hatch shortly after they are laid. Under ideal conditions, within a few hours of the eggs hatching, the larvae may travel through the skin towards the abdominal cavity. They cause massive tissue destruction. This can result in death within 24-48 hours of suffering pain. A final X-ray confirmed unmistakably that this was indeed S2. The white color leg band with the number S2 and the leg band from the migration station had been removed temporarily because of the anklets and jesses involved in the training. A brief statement from Caroline Hommers is attached at the end of this message.

Alas, alas, this brings to an end the extraordinary story of S2. One of the most famous, perhaps the most famous, peregrine in recent years. We wanted so badly to give her a new future, and were already preparing to release her. Dutch Radio Engineering had designed a special transmitter by means of which we would be able to follow S2 for a few months after her release, and which would then fall off. Enting Films was ready to film her first wing beats as she took flight, for a documentary which would be made about S2.

It was not meant to be; the story comes to an abrupt end here.

Vogelwerkgroep Gemert thanks all those who in recent months have made efforts on behalf of the peregrine S2. The veterinarians, the Someren Bird Sanctuary, the falconer, BirdLife Netherlands, the Netherlands Peregrine Workgroup, all the donors who have contributed to the rehabilitation of S2 and all the faithful followers who have admired her during all these years.

Statement of the Veterinarian:

Cause of death of the peregrine S2

To be 100% sure that we are indeed dealing with S2, there is first of all an X-ray of the right wing. In this, the old fractures are clearly seen. However, it is also clearly seen that the bones grew back together well. There would therefore be no doubt that the wing would be able to function correctly again. Unfortunately, we will not have the opportunity to observe this.

During the necropsy which was performed on S2, it was found that the cause of death was an invasion of maggots or fly larvae, called Myiasis. At a certain stage of their lives, the larvae feed on the dead or living tissue of a host. Maggots usually live in cadavers, but may also invade living tissue, primarily through an open wound. An adult fly lays eggs in the site, which hatch shortly after they are laid. Under ideal conditions, within a few hours of the eggs hatching the larvae may travel through the skin towards the abdominal cavity. They cause massive tissue destruction. This can result in death within 24-48 hours of suffering pain.

With pain in my heart, I say goodbye to S2.

It has been very enjoyable to work with S2 and to collaborate with all the people involved, in order to contribute to the preservation of wildlife in The Netherlands. Sadly, this particular bird left us much too soon.

Dr. Caroline Hommers
______________

We have been waiting for these preliminary findings of Caroline Hommers concerning the death of the peregrine S2, and unfortunately we have to provide you with this very sad message. She was so close to being successfully released, and then it still went wrong!

VWG Gemert
Arno Teunissen and Martin Vink

[margaret]

After all she has been through. So sad.  Fly free pretty one!
 

[jeanne]

 

[Donna]

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=%3C3%20S2  Candle for S2  


Only 11 candles for S2?    Keep them lit!

[Donna]

More explanations! 

Gemert, Thursday, October 18, 2012

Dear visitors, peregrine lovers,

We understand your disappointment, anger and questions arising therefrom. We also experienced emotions and ask us still wondering why this peregrine S2 has happened so close to her successful return to the wild. But that is generally not the best time to discuss decisions previously taken and are in peace which the VWG but has previously communicated that we would again answer.

There are many questions come to us and we hope that the following path to take.

It is suggested that the falconer journeys should be beaten.
The peregrine has more than a year in captivity. This is very long and inevitably leads to loss of condition at the falcon. Falconers know better than anyone that a good condition is crucial for certain species of raptors for successful hunting. They train their hunting birds daily and bring on condition otherwise it will not be successful.
falconer The question is very knowledgeable and has great merits in the field of protection of peregrine falcons. He also has extensive experience in rehabilitation of peregrine falcons, a quality that few in the Netherlands (yet) possess.
His training was solely focused on raising the level of its condition. Not like one wonders hunt, because they knew that al
The peregrine untrained release would apparently have been nice but the chances of that then out of sight of our perception of hunger would die would have been extremely high.
We have the need for this step, in the interest of peregrine S2, explicitly and extensively discussed with other experts such as BirdLife Netherlands, the Working Group Peregrine Netherlands, the veterinarian and the falconer and stand here, even now, still fully behind.

Date of death peregrine S2.
S2 Peregrine Tuesday 9 October geaast just yet and there was nothing special to observe. The reasons for this can be read in previous reports. Wednesday 10 October, she was found dead by the falconer which he further investigation infection with maggots found it on her lower body, here is also her cloaca. The falconer was and is devastated and informed us Wednesday 10 October that she was deceased, he's here still very difficult. Immediately after the discovery is the peregrine S2 freezer and discussed on Thursday 11 October, she frozen transferred to us. We have her placed in a cooler with freezer elements and come home again in the freezer. Iom to the vet's tomorrow Saturday October 13 autopsy this we peregrine S2 on Friday 12 October from the freezer. By directly freezing the maggots slain and does not change the section and the possible cause of death. When the section is a full gizzard found with the bait of Tuesday October 09. Further research and possible precise cause of death await us off.

Placement press release Eindhoven Dagblad Sunday, October 14, 2012
We have deliberately waited to post a press release on our website because we began the preliminary findings of the section S2 wanted so we could correctly informed. In consultation with the bird sanctuary is Sunday contacted the ED for an appointment to the death to make known after we would have published on our website. Here's something wrong and the ED directly to publication and hereby have passed an incorrect data published of her death. After observation of this publication we have direct our full press release posted on our website after the ED have changed their press release stating details. We will not blaming anyone that this is gone but had that love differently, understandable emotions play a role.

Breaking a wing or staartpen.
It is only natural that a bird wing or staartpen breaks. One often sees in raptors in flight there is a pin missing. In itself this is not a problem, just us and the falconer wild peregrine S2 with no risk and hair in the best possible working condition and plumage her freedom back. The breaking of this wing pin has nothing to do with the expertise of the falconer or death of peregrine S2!

Rebellion peregrine S2
This has nothing to do with her ​​death, or damage to its outer wing pin, this is normal behavior and see earlier reports on our website.

Time of infection and death of S2.
Infection by a green blowfly probably has 24-48 hours before her death occurred. This contamination was not observed by the falconer and is usually only visible when it is too late, often after death. See the various publications on the Internet.

What happens to her body.
Peregrine S2 is currently stored in a freezer. We are still in discussions about a respectful way we want her for eternity appropriated.

We understand that you're all very upset and mourn the death of peregrine S2 and many questions as we only ask you confidence to speak out about the doctors, the falconers and the many volunteers who are so used for the recovery of peregrine S2. Despite their great efforts, fate struck unexpectedly and has not to be that she has regained her freedom. Deep respect and gratitude from our side for those who have care of peregrine S2, donors and those who support us through the many and acknowledgments have supported the death of peregrine S2.

We will keep you informed.

 

Vogelwerkgroep Gemert,

Arno Teunissen and Martin Finch

[Donna]

Only 6 candles lit for S2, please light one for her. 

[MAK]

Thanks for the update! 

[AlisonL]

My version of the letter posted by VWG Gemert.

Additional information about the peregrine S2

Gemert, Thursday, October 18, 2012

Dear visitors, peregrine falcon lovers,

We understand your disappointment, anger and the questions which arise therefrom. We too are experiencing emotions and are still wondering why this happened to the peregrine S2, so close to her successful return to the wild. But that is usually not the best moment to debate decisions which had been quietly made earlier by VWG and which have been previously communicated, but which we would like to address once again.

There are many questions which have reached us and we hope to answer those in the following manner.

It has been suggested that the process followed by the falconer should have been different.

The peregrine falcon spent over a year in captivity. This is a very long time, and will inevitably lead to a loss of condition in the falcon. Falconers know better than anyone that a good level of fitness is essential for certain species of raptors to be able to hunt successfully. They train their hunting birds every day and keep them in good condition; otherwise they will not be successful.

The falconer in question is very knowledgeable and has major achievements in the area of the protection of peregrine falcons. He also has extensive experience in the rehabilitation of peregrine falcons, a quality which few people in The Netherlands possess to date. His training was focused entirely on bringing her condition to a certain level. It was not that he would train her to hunt, because she already knew that. The release of the peregrine without this training would at first glance seem to be a good idea, but the chances that once she was out of our sight she would have died of starvation would have been extremely high.

We needed to take this step in the interests of the peregrine S2; it had been expressly and thoroughly discussed with other experts such as BirdLife Netherlands, the Netherlands Peregrine Workgroup, the veterinarian and the falconer and even today, we still stand completely behind this decision.

The date of death of the peregrine S2

On Tuesday, October 9, the peregrine S2 was given her usual prey, and nothing extraordinary was observed. The reasons for this can be read in earlier reports.

On Wednesday October 10, she was found dead by the falconer; upon further investigation he found an infestation of maggots on her lower body, and also in her cloaca. The falconer was and is completely devastated and informed us on Wednesday, October 10 that she was deceased; he is still having a very difficult time with this. Immediately following this discovery the peregrine S2 was placed in the freezer and on Thursday, October 11, she was transferred to us in a frozen state. We placed her in a cooler with freezer components and then she was again placed in the freezer. On the morning of Saturday, October 13, a necropsy was performed by the veterinarian; on Friday, October 12, the peregrine S2 was removed from the freezer. The maggots are killed by direct freezing, and this does nothing to alter the necropsy and the possible cause of death. During the necropsy the gizzard was found to be full of the prey from Tuesday, October 9. We await additional findings and a possible precise cause of death.

Placement of a press release in the Eindhoven Dagblad on Sunday, October 14, 2012

We deliberately waited to post a press release on our website because we wanted to have the preliminary findings on the necropsy of S2 so that we could provide you with correct information. In collaboration with the bird sanctuary, on Sunday we contacted the Eindhoven Dagblad for an appointment to make the death known after we had published the information on our website. Here something went wrong, and the Eindhoven Dagblad immediately proceeded to publication, and included wrong information about her death. After seeing this publication, we immediately posted our full press release on our website, after which the Eindhoven Dagblad changed their press release, giving further details. We are not blaming anyone that this happened, but because it happened in this way, it is understandable that emotions played a role.

Breaking a wing feather or tail feather

It is only to be expected that a bird will break a wing or tail feather. One often sees in raptors in flight that there is a missing feather. In itself this is not a problem, it is just that we and the falconer wanted to take no risks and to give the peregrine S2 her freedom back with her plumage in perfect condition.  The breaking of this wing feather had nothing to do with the competence of the falconer or with the death of the peregrine S2!

Rebelliousness of the peregrine S2

This has nothing to do with her death, or damage to her primary wing feather, this is normal behavior; please see earlier reports on our website.

Time of infection and death of S2

The green blowfly infestation probably occurred 24-48 hours before her death. This infestation was not observed by the falconer and is, as a rule, only visible when it is too late, often after death. Please see the various publications on the Internet.

What will happen to her body

The peregrine S2 is currently being kept in a freezer. We are still in discussion about a respectful way in which we would like to provide for her for eternity.

We fully understand that all of you are very upset and mourning the death of the peregrine S2 and have many questions; we only ask that you kindly give a vote of confidence to the veterinarians, the falconers and the many volunteers who have been involved in the rehabilitation of the peregrine S2. In spite of their great efforts, tragedy struck unexpectedly, and it was not to be that she would regain her freedom. With deep respect and gratitude from our side for those who have cared for the peregrine S2, the donors and those who have supported us by way of their expressions of thanks and messages of support on the death of the peregrine S2.

We will keep you informed.

Vogelwerkgroep Gemert,

Arno Teunissen and Martin Vink

[Kris G.]

Thanks for the translated update about S2, Alison.  I do think they did the best they could for her and so hoped she could've been flying free soon but, sadly, it just wasn't meant to be.

[AlisonL]

Just lit more candles for S2. There are 31 now; I think she needs some more.

[Kris G.]

Just lit more candles for S2. There are 31 now; I think she needs some more.

I agree. I've been lighting them for her.

[Donna]

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=%3C3%20S2

Only 4 candles lit for S2! 

[Kris G.]

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=%3C3%20S2

Only 4 candles lit for S2! 

There were only 2 (yours) last night until I lit 2. 

[Dumpsterkitty]

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=%3C3%20S2

Only 4 candles lit for S2! 

There were only 2 (yours) last night until I lit 2. 

19 now

[AlisonL]

Just lit more candles for S2; there are 24 now. I think she could use some more.