A Sad Week for Birds and People
There were just three new admissions this past week. The first was Sharp-shinned Hawk 21-002 with a head injury. Initially, the hawk’s head was about 180 degrees out of sync. Currently, she can hold her head upright with some effort and she is able to eat cut up food on her own. When at rest her head still reverts to the upside down position. Her improvement seems to have plateaued causing hopes for a complete recovery to dim.
Northern Saw-whet Owl 21-003 died shortly we had completed our initial exam and treatment. The tiny owl was quite thin, weighing just 55 grams (less than two ounces) and had a fractured right humerus with significant chest trauma and internal hemorrhaging.
And finally, Golden Eagle 21-004 was admitted with a humerus fracture in the left wing that was two or three weeks old. The fracture was healed, but the eagle had little use of the left shoulder. If you look at the radiograph below you will notice there is significantly less muscle on the left when compared to the right side. The eagle was humanely euthanized.
My hope is that we will all approach the coming days and weeks with wisdom and understanding, in a spirit of love for all.
