De Mortel - Netherlands

[AlisonL]

From the VWG Gemert website:

Silence

Gemert, Monday, November 26, 2012

Following the death of the peregrine S2, it has been very quiet on this site for some time.

Our disappointment was, and is, very great; she was so close to being released, and then she died suddenly. We were in total disbelief when we learned what had happened to the peregrine S2 in the final phase of her return to the wild. After a successful stay and rehabilitation lasting almost a year with one of our (expert) members of VWG Gemert, under the responsibility of the bird refuge at Lierop/Someren, we must also accept that despite all our best efforts we were not successful in restoring her freedom to her. We hope that you will understand the resulting silence on this website, but we also understand that you still have many questions.

Meanwhile, the autopsy report is here, and the peregrine S2 was taken to a taxidermist for assessment. In view of the serious damage to her body caused by maggots, it is not possible for her to be set up in her entirety. We now have the possibility to see whether we could still allow her preparation in an appropriate manner, with deep respect for the bird and in a way which would be particularly aesthetically pleasing.

The peregrine would be transferred to a museum/institution so that information on the persecution of raptors, the work involved in the protection of birds, and the history of the peregrine S2, supported by all the image material, could be seen by a wide audience. If this is not possible, or if it would detract from the memory of the peregrine S2, then we will lay her to rest at the tower of de Mortel. We will look into every possibility quite deliberately, thoroughly and with great respect, and will make sure that the peregrine S2 receives the attention and the destiny which she deserves.

The shooting and the death of peregrine S2, and the persecution of raptors in general, strengthens our resolve to continue with our protection work. We thank you for your support and sympathy in this situation, and hope that 2013 will be a successful year for peregrine falcons at the de Mortel tower.

Necropsy on S2

Very brief summary:

The comprehensive necropsy report showed that there were no significant particulars on macroscopic inspection and microscopy (cytology and histology). The conclusion is that there was nothing wrong with the bird. Additional staining and examination were conducted, but here too nothing extraordinary was found. The bird was killed by maggots and the waste materials thereof. Unfortunately, maggots also invade healthy individuals, which is what happened here.

Source: Necropsy report and veterinary pathologist.

Webcam images

In anticipation of the potential return of the peregrine S2, we carried live images via Ustream, the implementation of which necessitated daily time from the webmaster; for reasons which are hopefully understandable, we stopped doing this. Perhaps we will begin this again at the end of January or the beginning of February 2013. A few weeks ago we took the computer from the tower for major maintenance, so that in the spring of 2013 you will hopefully once again be able to enjoy the images. This year we will reinstall the computer at the tower so that you will be able to see the refreshed still images and follow the peregrine Pa and his new mate.

Sincerely,

VWG Gemert
Martin Vink

[Kris G.]

Thank you for posting this for us, Alison.  It's all so sad that we have lost the magnificent S2 but her memory, for many, will live on forever.

[Donna]

This is all just too sad! Can something be done to prevent these "Maggots" in the future? Who knows, maybe this is how many die in the wild! Is there something to do at banding to help? Just seems like a simple solution but it's probably not. What a way to go!   She was so close and came a long way to die from an infestation of fly larvae!  Thank you Alison!

[MAK]

I have only tears to share on this particular post!       
  S2 

[Bird Crazy]

This is all just too sad! Can something be done to prevent these "Maggots" in the future? Who knows, maybe this is how many die in the wild! Is there something to do at banding to help? Just seems like a simple solution but it's probably not. What a way to go!  She was so close and came a long way to die from an infestation of fly larvae!  Thank you Alison!

something happened like this years ago to my dog. He was a house dog and only out to do his business. He was bitten by a fly that laid eggs in a gland by his rear end.  We caught it and took him to the vet and they fixed him up and he was fine. Flies are just nasty. I doubt if there is anything you can do, pesticides (I know they have stuff for horses) would cause more and probably worse problems (shades of DDT)

[jeanne]

My heart aches for her.  She went through so much and was so close to release.  I don't understand maggot infestation.  Poor sweet girl

[Tokira]

"Normal" flies and maggots are sometimes used to clean and debride wounds.
However, since more and more stray dogs are being brought into the US by "Adoption" groups, their infestations of the bad ones are increasingly common, where they were seldom seen North of the Tropics until the past few years.
The following link tells the story, but IT IS NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH 
http://www.minnesotamalamuteclub.com/flystrik.htm
It is now a serious concern among animal owners 
Carol
WV

[Carol P.]

So very sad.   

[Donna]

http://youtu.be/ABcapiDUL3U   Life goes on at DeMortel

[Donna]

Pa from today



Posted on fb

[Kris G.]

Pa from today



Posted on fb

Good to see Pa!  (probably a new topic topic heading should be started seeing as S2 isn't with us anymore  ) His new mate is being called Vievie-her band letters are VV.

[Donna]

Pa from today



Posted on fb

Good to see Pa!  (probably a new topic topic heading should be started seeing as S2 isn't with us anymore  ) His new mate is being called Vievie-her band letters are VV.

Do they know anything about her? If she's banded, have they read the other number?

[patsy6]

So life goes on for Pa.  That's good.

[Kris G.]

Pa from today



Posted on fb

Good to see Pa!  (probably a new topic topic heading should be started seeing as S2 isn't with us anymore  ) His new mate is being called Vievie-her band letters are VV.

Do they know anything about her? If she's banded, have they read the other number?

That I don't know-sorry.   You could ask on BCAW.

[MAK]

It's a good thing that Peregrines move forward without the strong emotional ties that humans have for their life partners or they might not have recovered the species as quickly. We do get life lessons from them whether we realize it or not. Carry on with life people!