Quest and Kendal - Toronto/Don Mills

[MAK]

Thanks for the update at last even though it is terrible news for us and especially Kendal. Given a choice, I would prefer euthanasia for an adult falcon that has previously won a mate and produced offspring and therefore knows the kind of productive life he should be living.

Dot in PA

Dot, since everyone else is coming forward with information I will report mine as well. I've wanted to tell you for a long time since you and I have been lighting candles daily for Kendal all this time, but I was sworn to secrecy.  My Canadian source saw the ex-rays of Kendal's severe injuries and actually told me that our beloved Kendal should have been euthanized. He was put through a lot of rehab only to not fly free again...

[carly]

Thanks for the update at last even though it is terrible news for us and especially Kendal. Given a choice, I would prefer euthanasia for an adult falcon that has previously won a mate and produced offspring and therefore knows the kind of productive life he should be living.

Dot in PA

You're welcome Dot. Please keep in mind who the update is coming from, I'm in no way working for any 'official' organization that knows the details of what kind of future Kendal is facing. I'm a falcon fan like yourself.  I just happened to know some people that were going to one of the places that I had heard was involved with him along his journey and asked them to ask for me how is he really doing as I had heard several different things and wasn't sure what was accurate and what wasn't.

[carly]

MAK, my reason for not saying anything was because one day I heard what you just posted and then next month he was being released and then I heard nothing...so I realized that rather than put false info out there as I wasn't in 'the know', it was better to publicly keep silent.

I can't speak for anyone else but I'd like to think that it wasn't a case of wanting to keep secrets, it was more of a 'too many cooks in the kitchen' scenario.  One of the things we sorely lack in the GTA is a rehabilitation center dedicated to our beloved peregrines.  Most of the wildlife agencies have to deal on a daily basis with anything from possums, squirrels, geese, raccoons, foxes, peregrines, hawks, sparrows, etc.  They are all non profit so they are constantly struggling with money and resource issues so they are really on a daily basis reacting to do what is best for all the species that come through the door.  None of them are equipped to provide end to end care, in other words you bring Kendal in the door in one place and he stays there throughout his recovery and rehabilitation and when it's done, then a decision is made on his future.  Right now it's we can help get him to Point A, then we have to send him elsewhere to move him to Point B and then if he gets there he can move on to Point C - which is again another place. So it's really something we up here lack and wish we had.  

I know down there you guys at least have the option available to you to send them out of state if required, as was done in Mariahs' case.  As far as I know, that has never been an option here.  Perhaps if it was, more could be done in serious cases?  That's not a knock to the agencies up here but from what I've read, the U.S. has made some great strides in raptor care, - including surgeries that fix exactly the injury that I heard Kendal had. 

[MAK]

I believe that if the powers to be, whether it be Canada or the US, could update more often then it would quell any misinformation and keep people from getting so anxious and impatient for news. Just my opinion...

[Carol P.]

"I know down there you guys at least have the option available to you to send them out of state if required, as was done in Mariahs' case.  As far as I know, that has never been an option here.  Perhaps if it was, more could be done in serious cases?  That's not a knock to the agencies up here but from what I've read, the U.S. has made some great strides in raptor care, - including surgeries that fix exactly the injury that I heard Kendal had."

In Mariah's case, Brian and I brought her to Gary, a local rehabber (Black Creek Wildlife Station) because no one else was available to take her on that Easter Sunday.  We were very thankful to Terry at Wild Wings for opening the doors for us to bring her there and providing Quail for her.  No one else would take her and we were desperate to get her the care she needed.  I really thought she was going to die.  So many miracles happened that day, including Gary being home and a veterinarian being available to make a house call.

After a few days, the DEC chose to move her to their rehabber, for further care.  That rehabber was also located within New York State.  She was never moved out of state.  

Our DEC contact back then was Mike Allen and he was very willing to send updates to us and even sent pics for us to share.

In Kendal's case, I heard bits and pieces, but never any detail about what was going on or how extensive his injuries were, until now.  I did hear that they were planning to release him, but had to reevaluate his condition.

I truly hope that they find a wonderful home for him!  

[carly]

Thanks for setting me straight Carol, I thought they sent her out of state - probably getting my falcons mixed up  .  At least there was somewhere to send her and what a great job everyone did!  

I don't think the agencies up here are really aware of the kind of following the faclons have.  Whenever I meet someone new up here and tell them that people as far as Europe watch our cams, they really seem shocked and incredulous to hear that. 

[Carol P.]

You're welcome Carly!  The Canadian Peregrine Foundation and all their volunteers do a wonderful job of caring for the Peregrines up there!   

[Donna]

https://vimeo.com/181975968  Check this out guys!! It's Kendal!! (VIDEO)

Thanks to Ann and MAK for posting this!!    He looks great and doing well as an educational falcon!! 

[carly]

    He's so handsome! 

[jeanne]

Kendall 

[MAK]

He's looking great isn't he!? It was so nice to see him!! 

[Carol P.]

So nice to see him! 

[AlisonL]

Thank you for posting this, Donna! Kendal looks wonderful and very handsome. It's so good to know that he is doing well.     

[Dot_Forrester]

It was a great and wonderful surprise to see Kendal looking so healthy and handsome. But I always wonder if an adult falcon who has tasted the freedom of the skies and has raised a family misses his natural life in the wild. Nobody can answer that, I know, so with great hope I wish Kendal the very best as an education bird.

Dot in PA

[patsy6]

Wow, look at Kendal hangin' with Justin Trudeau!  Two handsome guys!