The “Black Forest Eagle” was released. She’s actually a red-tailed hawk that grew up, matured, and did very well in rehab!
When wildlife officer Jeromy brought this bird to rehab from Burlington, I must confess I wasn’t sure what it was, other than a young hawk. I knew what it wasn’t but not what it was, so thanks to Alex and Diana from Pueblo Raptor Center, it was determined this is an immature Broad-Winged Hawk, usually found EAST of Kansas. The bird may have been hit by a car, has head trauma.
Barn Owl from Calhan suffered a very serious and irreparable fracture of his wing.
Wow! I haven’t seen an oppossum since living in Michigan! They are apparently moving into the southern part of Colorado the last few years, though. This one was found in Pueblo, and dropped off as a malnourished youngster to Colorado Wolf and Wildlife, who promptly provided necessary critical care before sending her here for rehab. We anticipate she’ll heal well and recover from her nutrition issues, and we anticipate a spring release.
Wildlife officer Aaron brought this female merlin to rehab. She was in very bad shape, emaciated and dehydrated, in organ failure, and didn’t make it.
Oh, my goodness, it’s been very busy around here, even though this time of year we expect things to slow down a bit. Lots of releases going on right now with many more scheduled in the next few weeks, including hawks, owls, coyotes, cottontails, and more songbirds. In the meantime, more critters arriving to rehab daily, many in terrible, terrible condition; hummingbirds peeled from sticky fly traps; duck with a broken neck, birds very very sick with suspected West Nile Virus, finches and sparrows with trich, and the usual accidents and problems. We are very, very tired and looking forward to the winter “break!”