Happy Valentine’s!

It’s still pretty slow at the intake window, but with the temps beginning to rise again, it won’t be long before the orphans will start showing up in large numbers. As long as the numbers remain low, I’ll try to keep TW@L interesting with information about new projects and improvements we’re making as well as awesome animals that do happen to make an appearance. We’re always striving to improve the Liberty Wildlife Experience! If any super-cool medical procedures take place, I’ll try to get some photos and cover the action.

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NEW STUFF

As we saw in the last update, there are some changes to some of the structures around the facility. One is the new California condor enclosure which is taking shape near the current vulture pavilion. Along with this, new steel doors are being fabricated and installed on many of the existing enclosures on the Educational trail on the west side. These should enhance the security and longevity of the existing enclosures. Along with these improvements, a new habitat is being built for our star Indian Runner ducks, Cheese and Quackers. This is going up just west of the current set of tortoise habitats. All of these changes and improvements are designed to enhance the educational experience for visitors to our facility. Thank you Mike Pedersen for his work on the Indian Runner duck enclosure and to Rick Erman for installing the new steel doors.

(Look for 4 pictures.)

BARN OWL SURGERY

Although the Education department at Liberty was originally conceived because of a gunshot great horned owl, we thankfully don’t get a lot of gunshot owls in for medical intervention. That being said, recently, a barn owl was brought in that had been shot with the ubiquitous .177cal pellet (visible in the X-ray). This caused breaks in both the radius and ulna in its wing. The fractures were not strictly mid-shaft, but close enough that it was thought the damage could be corrected without causing the mobility of the elbow joint to become compromised. As happens in a bird’s wing, when bones are immobilized for an appreciable length of time by a cast or splint, the joints adjacent to the repair will sometimes fuse. This stiffening of the joint, especially in wings, will lead to the loss of articulation which can impede the flight ability of the patient. In this case, Dr. Attarian was able to install a pin to stabilize the bones to allow them to heal.

(Look for 7 pictures.)

NEW CONDOR HABITAT

The construction of the new condor enclosure is progressing apace. All the major components are built off-site and then delivered to the facility. Due to their size and weight, the sections had to be unloaded and moved into the area by mobile crane. The corner sections were first to be placed on the bolts in the concrete footings. After all four were installed, the roof sections were hoisted into place. After all the pieces were in position, extra bracing members were welded on to strengthen the structure. The doors and supports for ramps will follow. It will be a great addition to the Education Trail!

(Look for 8 pictures)

ODDS and ENDS

With the departures of some of our Medical Services volunteers, new members are taking over in Triage, gaining experience as we come into the peak period of Springtime.  Acacia and Jacob are now filling in on Thursdays and Dr. Hannah Attarian is now a regular on Saturdays, helping out with Dr. Lamb. There are more new people in the pipeline and I’ll try to get pics of them at work as I can.

John is still working with Jax and the Indian runner ducks until he moves up to Pinetop.

Recently we took in an injured crested caracara with a badly fractured wing. The young bird is the first of his species to be in our care and if it is approved, he will make a wonderful addition to our education collection of ambassadors.

(Look for 8 pictures.)