SandraK
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I'm quoting this story written by Roger Holloway from Mews News, Winter 2010, Vol. 32, No. 3, of the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park MO. It goes out to all special needs/rehab parronts out there.
"From the very beginning we knew it was a long shot. Fractures to the humerus or upper wing of a bird rarely heal in a way that allows the bird to ever fly again. If the fracture is in the middle of the bone and doesn't involve a joing, it can sometimes work.
The admission of Barred owl patien number #040410 was such a case. This Barred Owl was brought to our Wildlife Hospital by the Wentzville Fire Dpartment after one of their fire trucks struck it while en route to an emergency response. After a supportive pin was surgically inserted by Dr. Bob Schaefer, of St. Louis Hills Veterinary Clinic, to stabilize the fracture, the healing process was started.
The difficult aspect for any bird is getting the mobility back the way it needs to be so the bird can fly well enough to be released. Bird bones heal very well. In fact sometimes a fird heals so well that it can no longer extend its wing for proper flight.
Such was the case with "Maltese", the Barred Owl named by the firemen after the Maltese Cross in the fireman's emblem. Under the guidance of Dr. Stacey Schaefer, Maltese endured weeks of physical therapy and careful, precise wing stretching. Unfortunately, it appeared the owl had only re-gained some of the flexibility needed for sustained flight. So, with heavy hearts, we came to the sad realization that life back in the wild was not going to happen for this Barred Owl.
Apparently, we neglected to include Maltese in the conversation because a few days later he was flying from perch to perch across his outdoor enclosure. What an amazing display of survival. The owl moved across the mew so well we decided he deserved a shot in the flight cage to see if he could actually sustain flight for a distance.
Upon being released in the flight cage, Maltese flew out of his carrying crate and flew up, up and up reaching the eighteen foot high perch one hundred feet at the other end. It wasn't the most beautiful flight but he gained height! Over the next few days Maltese continued to gaint strength and flew the length of the flight cage, back and forth staying on the high perches.
Sometimes a long shot is the best shot. As of publication of this article, "Maltese" is still getting conditioned for his improbable but inspiring return to his wild surroundings near Wentzille, Missouri. Our thanks to everyone who has supported this owl and the other patients at World Bird Sanctuary Kathryn G. Favre Wildlife Hospital."
So, to Zazu's parronts (who already know this), Magni, Waterfaller, Ann & The Gang and the many others out there who've taken on a fid with minor to major disabilities if your fid didn't get the memo saying he/she can't do somethings they'll show you exactly how much they can do.
If you're interested, you can follow WBS online:
World Bird Sanctuary (WBSSTL) on Twitter
World Bird Sanctuary
Facebook World Bird Sanctuary Fan Page
World Bird Sanctuary - YouTube
www.worldbirdsanctuary.org
"From the very beginning we knew it was a long shot. Fractures to the humerus or upper wing of a bird rarely heal in a way that allows the bird to ever fly again. If the fracture is in the middle of the bone and doesn't involve a joing, it can sometimes work.
The admission of Barred owl patien number #040410 was such a case. This Barred Owl was brought to our Wildlife Hospital by the Wentzville Fire Dpartment after one of their fire trucks struck it while en route to an emergency response. After a supportive pin was surgically inserted by Dr. Bob Schaefer, of St. Louis Hills Veterinary Clinic, to stabilize the fracture, the healing process was started.
The difficult aspect for any bird is getting the mobility back the way it needs to be so the bird can fly well enough to be released. Bird bones heal very well. In fact sometimes a fird heals so well that it can no longer extend its wing for proper flight.
Such was the case with "Maltese", the Barred Owl named by the firemen after the Maltese Cross in the fireman's emblem. Under the guidance of Dr. Stacey Schaefer, Maltese endured weeks of physical therapy and careful, precise wing stretching. Unfortunately, it appeared the owl had only re-gained some of the flexibility needed for sustained flight. So, with heavy hearts, we came to the sad realization that life back in the wild was not going to happen for this Barred Owl.
Apparently, we neglected to include Maltese in the conversation because a few days later he was flying from perch to perch across his outdoor enclosure. What an amazing display of survival. The owl moved across the mew so well we decided he deserved a shot in the flight cage to see if he could actually sustain flight for a distance.
Upon being released in the flight cage, Maltese flew out of his carrying crate and flew up, up and up reaching the eighteen foot high perch one hundred feet at the other end. It wasn't the most beautiful flight but he gained height! Over the next few days Maltese continued to gaint strength and flew the length of the flight cage, back and forth staying on the high perches.
Sometimes a long shot is the best shot. As of publication of this article, "Maltese" is still getting conditioned for his improbable but inspiring return to his wild surroundings near Wentzille, Missouri. Our thanks to everyone who has supported this owl and the other patients at World Bird Sanctuary Kathryn G. Favre Wildlife Hospital."
So, to Zazu's parronts (who already know this), Magni, Waterfaller, Ann & The Gang and the many others out there who've taken on a fid with minor to major disabilities if your fid didn't get the memo saying he/she can't do somethings they'll show you exactly how much they can do.
If you're interested, you can follow WBS online:
World Bird Sanctuary (WBSSTL) on Twitter
World Bird Sanctuary
Facebook World Bird Sanctuary Fan Page
World Bird Sanctuary - YouTube
www.worldbirdsanctuary.org
