This darling was brought to me Saturday night to be assessed. Was found wandering the main street of Huonville, Tasmania, about 500 metres from the river, outside the pizza shop. Apparently did not have cash (this shop does not use EFTPOS). It appeared underweight and dehydrated. Held overnight, taken to the vet Sunday, then to the new Seabird Rehabillitaion Enclosure at Bonorong Sanctuary. Today got a call to collect and release as close as possible to where it was found. No photos from Saturday night, but a few from today.
Sounds like he had a night out on the tiles. That'll dehydrate ya and leave ya with no cash. Glad he's OK. Goodonya for helping him out (and paying for the pizza).
I wonder how long he waited to be served? His neck looks very skinny. Hope he's not going back to the shops though. Sad story-happy ending. Thanks Dale.
M-L
Thanks for sharing Dale! What a beautiful bird
Yesterday, we (an experienced bird rescuer and I) had two swans (well a mother and cygnet) with injuries from fishing line and a hook, the result of school holidays and school boys trying to catch the birds with bread and fishing rods.
Both birds were captured and taken to the vet, the hook removed from the pen's leg under gas anaesthetic and the cygnet's beak where it was split by the line was removed and cauterised using local anaesthetic. Both returned to cob and siblings.
Really beautiful to watch the two swans call and display to each other on return of the pen - very moving to watch! Strangely and thankfully, the cob was less aggressive during the capture than we expected and is normal for this particular bird according to the locals. Possibly the calm nature of the experienced rescuer was at least partly the reason plus this may have been this pen's first mating season and the male also quite young. I hope it makes the swans more cautious around humans or at least school boys of bad intent.
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
Nice one Alison, my experience says that once a bird is captured, and realizes it is not being hurt, they usually settle down. My bites and scratchings have almost always been in the catching phase. I think if they detect calmness in you, then it then they become calm themselves (all animals, not just the birds)
Thanks for sharing your story, it is always a good feeling to be able to rescue and release, and even better when the family is reunited.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
The question remains, why the hell were those boys trying to catch the birds???
What's wrong with people , young and old??? Reminds me of the idea, Duck shooting is a good Australian tradition.
O, that makes me angry
Thanks to all the kind people who give their time and heart to care.
M-L
Indeed, Araminta. From where did those boys learn that behaviour? One wonders about the models presented by the prominent adults in their lives. And their behaviour wouldn't be dampened by such organisations as the Shooters Party nor would it be ameliorated by a lot of the anti-environment advertisements which no doubt assail their developing minds.
Grrrrrrrrr from me, too.
Thanks Dale I hope you didn't mind me adding to your thread - I actually thought of your beautiful swan that day. I think you are right about the settling down after capture if treated calmly and kindly. I've rarely been damaged but a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo had a decent try the morning of the same day - I gave him a temporary new name at the time.
M-L and Woko I think it was a combination of boredom, peer pressure and opportunity that resulted in this incident. Apparently they left in a hurry so hopefully what they caused may have made them wiser.
Alison
~~~~~~
"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
No problem Alison, anything that highlights the plight of our natives, and prepares people for the time of need is beneficial.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania