News from Rick Schubert on #3

Rick Schubert from the Schuylkill Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic sent this news and some pictures of #3, who is recovering from a fractured leg bone sustained when she left the nest too early last week.

"She is recovering well in our care, eating well and maintaining good energy. We're keeping her in as low stress an environment as possible (stress kills wildlife). Dr. Dazen and Dr. Boutette have a cast on the leg.  She needs to stay in a relatively small cage until the fracture heals, so that she does not injure herself further. 

In a few weeks, she will go outside for some physical therapy and some flight time. In the meantime, it is vitally important that we keep the tail feathers and the flight feathers (called remiges) in perfect condition. 

All flighted birds, and birds of prey especially, live or die by the condition of their feathers. Like a Formula One race car, they are ultra-high performance engines that need to be flawlessly maintained. That's why they can be frequently seen preening and conditioning each individual feather. Their feathers are essential survival tools, and poorly conditioned ones mean decreased likelihood of successful hunting. But in a cage setting, it's easy for a bird to inadvertently break or fray those feathers to the point where they are no longer useful. The tail on these birds is part of the steering and the brakes, as well as assisting with lift. 

For birds that recuperate in cages, we apply a special wet paper tape that dries to form a stiff protector, but when re-wet can be easily removed. I learned this technique and much more while working for the amazing Diane Nickerson, director of the Mercer County Wildlife Center, and one of the smartest rehabbers I've ever met. She taught me to be hyper-aware of the condition of a bird's feathers. That's just one small component of the complex art and science of wildlife rehab that hopefully I've given you a glimpse into."

Many thanks to Rick for sending us this news of #3 who is one of close to twenty injured raptors that he and his staff are currently caring for at the clinic.  

This rehab facility relies on the generosity of people donating to help support their work.  No monetary amount is too small.  http://www.schuylkillcenter.org/donate   In-kind donations for animal handling, food and medical supplies are also greatly appreciated.  http://www.schuylkillcenter.org/donate/wishlist.php  

Here is their wish list:

 Gift cards 
 Gift cards from any major supermarket (particularly Shoprite, Superfresh, and Acme) as well as from Petsmart and PETCO

Animal care and handling
 Unscented liquid laundry detergent
 Chlorine bleach
 Dawn dish detergent - right now we have a LOT of Dawn dish detergent after a major donation of it
  Food storage bags (gallon size)
 Heating pads
 Rubber gloves (S, M, L, and XL)
 White, unscented paper products (i.e. toilet paper, paper towels) - our greatest need, believe it or not, is paper towels and trash bags! Regular, kitchen, and superjumbo size (55 gallon)
  Bath towels  
 Bed sheets

 Animal Food
 Canned dog food, any flavor (no lite or special diet)
 Puppy chow  
 Jarred baby food (fruit, vegetables or meat)
  Unsweetened applesauce
 Any dry dog food with chicken, beef, or lamb as first ingredient
  
Medical Supplies
 French catheters 3.5, 5, & 8
 Telfa pads
 Hemostats
 Latex exam gloves (M & L)
 Vet wrap (1’x 2’ & 4’)
 Bandage scissors
 Tegaderm 1620
 Pedialyte oral electrolyte solution, unflavored
 Rolled gauze or gauze pads 


To donate in-kind supplies or pro bono services, contact Emily Simmons, Director of Resource Development, at 215-482-7300, x117 or email emily@schuylkillcenter.org


In-kind contributions can also be brought to the Schuylkill Center’s main education building during regular business hours (Mon-Sat, 8-5) or mailed to the following address:
8480 Hagy’s Mill Road
Philadelphia, PA  19128