wildlife rehab/rescue volunteering (mostly dull)
we're definitely in the very slow season. which is fine, it's a good time for deep cleaning, repairs, repainting, that kind of thing, but it can be boring for the volunteers.
however! today I got to see a great horned owl getting "physical therapy" (gentle motion and stretching) under anesthesia as recovery from a broken wingbone. has to be done under anesthesia because otherwise the bird don't like it, and owls can be FEISTY. XD
wildlife rehab/rescue volunteering (mostly dull)
even completely unconscious, it was a beautiful, impressive bird. I wouldn't have gotten to see it otherwise--it's staff-only, and we're strictly forbidden from "peeking," especially with owls, which can be very unsettled by human proximity.
otherwise... I saw a gull getting tube-fed (woo, this is not an unusual thing), a *really* fat squirrel (almost certainly pregnant), and several feral rats. so, mostly dull.
wildlife rehab/rescue volunteering (mostly dull)
the Smallest Bear Cub is still precarious; technically healthy, but after three weeks of care and observation still doing weird behavioral things--compulsive licking, not being able to walk properly, possible vision or other sensory impairment. the most likely problem, congenital birth defect or brain injuries from malnutrition, were ruled out with an MRI scan last week, as well as second-most-likely, lead poisoning.
wildlife rehab/rescue volunteering (mostly dull)
concussion or other injury has also been ruled out, along with several other toxins and chronic malnutritions. next step is a thorough check for parasites, because ????
unfortunately, if they can't figure out what's causing the problem and fix it, she will likely have to be put down. it'd be illegal for anyone to keep her, being a wild bear, and she can't be released back to the wild if she can't function as a wild bear. :/
wildlife rehab/rescue volunteering (mostly dull)
on the other hand, the other four bear cubs are doing great--they're hibernating, with occasional moments of EXTREMELY CRANKY AND LOUD GRONKING. cranky bears, at least small ones, sound kind of hilarious but also kind of alarming, in an instinctive "this animal could eat me" way.
the two lynx cubs are also great, the sole remaining seal pup is due for release this week I think, there's some pigeons and owls and otherwise not much!
