Wildlife Center of Virginia in the news

[Dumpsterkitty]

In two independent studies, researchers found wildlife rehabilitators see the greatest abundance and diversity of animals of any type of agency that deals with wildlife, according to Dave McRuer, director of veterinary services for the Wildlife Center of Virginia.

“The problem is we also have the worst record-keeping,� he said.

Determined to change that, the center in Waynesboro pioneered efforts to develop a computer program for storing and sharing data among wildlife rehabilitators across the country. More than 45 organizations have begun using the database, which the center hopes will help improve animal care, influence legislation, pinpoint anomalies in wildlife health and possibly even provide an early warning system for bioterrorism, McRuer said.

Continued with photos at Wildlife center aids data-sharing among animal rehab sites

[Donna]

King George County Bald Eagle

PATIENT:  Bald Eagle, #11-2481

LOCATION OF RESCUE:  King George County, Virginia

CAUSE OF ADMISSION:  Suspect organophosphate toxicity

 ADMISSION DATE: October 4, 2011

PROGNOSIS: Poor

BAEA 2481An adult Bald Eagle was found at the King George County landfill on October 4.  The eagle was rescued and taken to a permitted rehabilitator, who quickly called the Wildlife Center and arranged transport for the same day.

Dr. Dave McRuer examined the Bald Eagle upon admission.  The eagle was standing, though it appeared to be very sluggish in its movements and had difficulty balancing.  The bird also seemed unable to see very well, or at least was having difficulty focusing on external stimuli.  Dr. Dave performed a physical exam and found the bird to be in good body condition; there were no signs of fractures.  An in-depth ophthalmic examination didn’t reveal any obvious eye injuries — which suggested that the eagle was either having central vision problems or sluggish reflexes.

Based on the Bald Eagle’s clinical signs, Dr. Dave suspected that the eagle had been exposed to organophosphates — perhaps ingested something contaminated with BAEA 11-2481pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides.  A blood sample was taken and sent to an outside diagnostic laboratory to test for levels of organophosphates.   Test results should be available to the veterinary team by October 7.

In the meantime, Dr. Dave began a course of atropine — a medication for organophosphate poisoning.  By the end of the day [October 4], the Bald Eagle was showing some signs of improvement.  Another dose of atropine was given to the bird at the end of the day, along with subcutaneous fluids.

On the morning of October 5, the Bald Eagle appeared to be brighter and was eating and attempting to bite the staff as they got the bird out for morning treatments.  The eagle did appear to be somewhat visual, though still was having difficulty focusing.  Dr. Dave decided to continue with additional atropine and a catheter was placed in the eagle’s leg to deliver the medication intravenously.
October 12 update

Over the course of the past week, the King George County Bald Eagle’s condition has deteriorated.  Test results came back negative for exposure to organophosphates, which is not what the veterinary staff was expecting.  On Tuesday, October 11, the Bald Eagle continued to go downhill and was not standing in its crate.  On October 12, the eagle began having tremors.

At this point, the veterinary team is unsure what is causing such dramatic symptoms in the eagle.  Some sort of poisoning is still on the list, though it could also be a virus or some other disease.  It’s extremely difficult to know what specific tests to run.  An additional lead test was performed on October 12, and it did show a very slight elevation in lead levels – though still not at a level that would typically warrant treatment.  Just to be on the safe side, and  to be able to offer some sort of treatment, Dr. Miranda started the eagle on chelation therapy.

The staff will continue to closely monitor the eagle and will hope for improvements.

[Donna]

Accomack Bald Eagle

PATIENT: Bald Eagle, #11-2393

LOCATION OF RESCUE:Accomack County, Virginia

CONDITION: Thin, Dehydrated

ADMISSION DATE: September 20, 2011

PROGNOSIS: Guarded

BAEA 11-2393On September 19, the Wildlife Center admitted Bald Eagle #11-2393. The adult Bald Eagle was rescued on September 17 by a permitted wildlife rehabilitator in Accomack County after a concerned citizen spotted the downed bird near a coastal marsh.  Volunteer transporters brought the eagle to the Center on September 19.

 

Bald Eagle #11-2393 arrived with superficial injuries on its right and left carpi–which are basically the eagle’s wrists–and these wounds combined with its tattered tail feathers and relatively dirty feet led the Center’s veterinary staff to conclude that the eagle had been down for a few days or more. Dr. Miranda Sadar and Dr. Adam Naylor performed a physical examination of the bird and determined that it was thin and suffering from dehydration; they were not able to identify immediate signs of any further physical trauma.

#11-2393 was given subcutaneous injections of fluids to reduce its dehydration and the veterinary staff scheduled radiographs for September 20.  Because the physical examination did not reveal any obvious injuries, the veterinarians hoped that the radiographs and blood work would provide more information that could help explain the circumstances under which the eagle was found.

On September 20, Dr. Miranda and Dr. Dave McRuer studied the initial radiographs of the Bald Eagle and did not identify any obvious abnormalities; the staff veterinarians are now hoping that the results from the blood work that was collected Tuesday morning will offer more insight. Until then, #11-2393 remains in an indoor enclosure at the Center and will be monitored closely by staff members.

#11-2393 arrived at the center with state and federal identification bands. Center staff have submitted all of the appropriate information to www.reportband.gov and are now waiting for details on the Bald Eagle. As soon as more information becomes available on this particular adult eagle, it will listed here as an update.
September 22 update

Bald Eagle #11-2393 is showing some signs of improvement. Center rehabilitation staff members have reported that the eagle is now eating on its own and perching within its pen. The superficial wounds on its carpi are healing and scabbing. The blood work that staff veterinarians analyzed on September 21 did not show any signs of internal inflammation; however, a fecal analysis did reveal that the eagle has parasites. As a result, #11-2393 was prescribed an antiparasitic medication which will now be administered daily.

Staff veterinarians will take additional radiographs and blood work at the beginning of next week. In the meantime, the Bald Eagle remains under observation.
September 29 update

The superficial injuries on Bald Eagle #11-2393’s carpi have scabbed and appear to be healing cleanly; however, the Center’s veterinary staff have examined the radiographs taken of the Bald Eagle more closely and think that there may be more significant damage to the eagle’s carpi than they initially suspected. To see if this has any effect on the eagle’s ability to fly, Dr. Adam Naylor recommended that #11-2393 be moved to an outdoor enclosure in order to allow the Center’s veterinary and rehabilitation staff the opportunity to observe it move about freely. The eagle was relocated yesterday afternoon to one of the Center’s smaller flight pens and will remain there under close observation until further notice.

The Wildlife Center has also received information back on Bald Eagle #11-2393’s band. This particular eagle was treated in late December of 2010 by the Eastern Shore Animal Hospitalfor soft tissue injuries on its carpi and scapula. After it received initial treatment, it was cared for by a permitted rehabilitator until it was banded and released in early January of this year by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. This is the first time it has been in recorded contact with humans since its release.
October 12 update

Since moving to a small outdoor enclosure, Bald Eagle #11-2393 has been spotted with a pronounced right wing droop.  The staff veterinarians prescribed a 10-day course of anti-inflammatories to see if that would have any affect on how the eagle holds its wing.  After no changes were seen, the medication was discontinued.

On October 10, an additional set of radiographs were taken — but the veterinary team was unable to pinpoint a reason why the eagle continues to droop its wing.  Dr. Miranda decided to see what the eagle would do in a larger space, so the bird was moved into a 45-foot-long flight enclosure.  While the perches were lowered at first, the Bald Eagle has demonstrated that it can fly despite the wing droop, so the rehabilitation staff raised the perches to a regular height.  The staff will continue to monitor the eagle regularly for changes.



More below on the next Eagle
                                         

[Donna]

Bear Cubs Expected at Wildlife Center on Tuesday, October 18

Two bear cubs removed from a tree after a sow [presumably their mother] was struck and killed by a car in Suffolk, VA on Monday morning [October 17] are expected to be brought to the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro on Tuesday, October 18.

The cubs are expected to arrive on Tuesday morning.  They will be examined by the Center’s team of wildlife veterinarians.

Additional information on the cubs and their condition will be posted as it becomes available.

[Dumpsterkitty]

The cubs have arrived...

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/10/suffolk-bear-cubs/

[Donna]

The cubs have arrived...

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/10/suffolk-bear-cubs/

Ahh, hope the one that fell is OK. Yeah, I know, don't worry!! 

[Dumpsterkitty]

The cubs have arrived...

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/10/suffolk-bear-cubs/

Ahh, hope the one that fell is OK. Yeah, I know, don't worry!! 

I would say concern is warranted in this situation   

[Dumpsterkitty]

Keep checking at that link-they've been adding info as it comes in...looks like the one that fell is doing fine. The other one is a bit smaller & is dehydrated...

"Bear cub #11-2531 was the “sleepierâ€� of the two male cubs — still very much feeling the effects of the tranquilizers from yesterday’s rescue.  The veterinary team was able to manually capture cub #11-2531, which did make him perk back up and resist capture.  The bear was then anesthetized and intubated for further exam.  Vets performed a physical examination, drew blood for several different types of diagnostic tests, performed a skin scraping to check for mites, and took radiographs.

While #11-2531 is a little thin and dehydrated, otherwise the cub seems to be healthy.  Dr. Miranda Sadar gave the cub intravenous fluids in hopes that some of the additional fluids would help flush yesterday’s tranquilizers from its system.  Center vet and rehab staff will monitor the cub closely today.  Bear #11-2531 weighed in at 9.48 kgs — almost 21 pounds.   

Bear cub #11-2532 is the perkier of the two cubs — despite a 40-foot tumble from a tree during rescue.  The veterinary team sedated this cub prior to grabbing it for the physical exam.  The same blood draws, skin scraping, and radiographs were performed; fluids were also given.   This cub is slightly bigger than his brother and at 10.60 kgs (23.3 lbs), is in slightly better body condition."

[Kris G.]

Keep checking at that link-they've been adding info as it comes in...looks like the one that fell is doing fine. The other one is a bit smaller & is dehydrated...

"Bear cub #11-2531 was the “sleepierâ€� of the two male cubs — still very much feeling the effects of the tranquilizers from yesterday’s rescue.  The veterinary team was able to manually capture cub #11-2531, which did make him perk back up and resist capture.  The bear was then anesthetized and intubated for further exam.  Vets performed a physical examination, drew blood for several different types of diagnostic tests, performed a skin scraping to check for mites, and took radiographs.

While #11-2531 is a little thin and dehydrated, otherwise the cub seems to be healthy.  Dr. Miranda Sadar gave the cub intravenous fluids in hopes that some of the additional fluids would help flush yesterday’s tranquilizers from its system.  Center vet and rehab staff will monitor the cub closely today.  Bear #11-2531 weighed in at 9.48 kgs — almost 21 pounds.   

Bear cub #11-2532 is the perkier of the two cubs — despite a 40-foot tumble from a tree during rescue.  The veterinary team sedated this cub prior to grabbing it for the physical exam.  The same blood draws, skin scraping, and radiographs were performed; fluids were also given.   This cub is slightly bigger than his brother and at 10.60 kgs (23.3 lbs), is in slightly better body condition."

Good to hear!

[Donna]

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/10/faq-bear-cubs/ Questions and answers about the Bear cubs

[Donna]

One of the orphaned black bear cubs rescued from the median of Route 58 in Suffolk has died, the Wildlife Center of Virginia reported. 
 
Wildlife rehabilitators at the center found the smaller cub dead in the bear enclosure on Thursday, said Randy Huwa of the Wildlife Center.

“At this point, the veterinary team does not know why [it] died,� Huwa said.

The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study at the University of Georgia will perform a necropsy on the cub, Huwa said. It likely will take several weeks to receive the results.

The two cubs were found Monday morning after their mother apparently was struck by a vehicle on U.S. Route 58, near the landfill. Several motorists called 911 to report the body on the side of the road and the bear cubs wandering aimlessly.

By the time police arrived, the cubs had escaped danger from the traffic by climbing trees. Workers with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries arrived, shot the cubs with tranquilizers and transported them to the Wildlife Center.

They weighed about 21 and 23 pounds upon arrival, center officials said. The center’s veterinary team performed physical examinations on the cubs, drew blood for diagnostic tests and did skin-scraping tests to check for mites.

Dr. Dave McRuer, director of veterinary services at the Wildlife Center, said the smaller bear was malnourished upon arrival.

“You can feel his ribs and his spine. He doesn’t have a lot of muscle on him,� he said. “He definitely needs more food.�

But other than being small, both bears were in good condition, he said Tuesday.

Huwa said Thursday the remaining bear cub would be monitored closely over the next few days.

How awful!

[Donna]

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/nbge-rehabilitation-updates/ Training with "BUDDY"

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/12/unwanted-visitor/ Unwanted visitor

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/10/suffolk-bear-cubs/  update on bear cub and his release date! 

[Donna]

Page County Golden Eagle
PATIENT: Golden Eagle, #12-0095

LOCATION OF RESCUE:  Page County, Virginia

INJURY:  Fractured radius

ADMISSION DATE:  February 23, 2012

PROGNOSIS: Guarded

On February 24, biologists with the Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group were working in Page County.  DGIF biologists were trapping Golden Eagles so that they could be banded and fitted with GPS transmitters, as a part of an ongoing study.

As biologists trapped one Golden Eagle, the trapping equipment malfunctioned.  The bird had no apparent injuries, though after the banding and transmitter fitting was complete, the bird ran – rather than flew – into a briar patch.  The eagle sustained some cuts and injuries to its wing, so the biologists immediately brought the bird to the Wildlife Center.

Upon admission, the Golden Eagle was bright and alert.  Dr. Miranda Sadar anesthetized the bird for a complete examination and set of radiographs.  In addition to the soft-tissue wound from the briar patch, Dr. Miranda found that the eagle had sustained a fracture of the radius in its left wing.  Several secondary feathers were also missing.

Dr. Miranda and team got to work flushing and suturing the skin wound on the bird’s left wing.  After the wound was cleaned, doses of anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, and pain medication were administered.  Dr. Miranda scheduled the eagle for surgery on February 24 to pin the fractured radius.

[MAK]

 

[Kris G.]

On Wildlife Center of Virginia's FB page today!

Success! Wildlife Center President Ed Clark reported in from the field earlier today -- he said Bald Eagle NX was successfully released at the Rapphannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge at 12:10 p.m. She flew about 75 yards to a tall tree, took in her surroundings for about five minutes, and then flew off through the woods, over an estuary, and into the forest! She did "everything she's supposed to do!"