Why do birds migrate south for the winter? Most people will say that it is cold here in the winter, so birds want to move south to where it is warmer. That is actually why people go south for the winter, but it is not the reason bird’s move south.
On Sunday, December 4th, the Inver Grove Heights Police Department brought in a sick juvenile bald eagle that they had found in the snow. On intake, TRC’s Medical Director, Dr. Dana, found that it was highly likely that it was suffering from pentobarbital poisoning, the primary agent used in euthanasia solution. Eagles can get secondary poisoning if they scavenge on the body of an animal that was euthanized with the chemical. This bird was flu tested and admitted for care.
Despite the challenges of a raging bird virus, The Raptor Center’s clinic admitted 825 raptors as of Sept. 30, just a few less than this same time period last year. Species numbers are a little different with more great horned owls, red-tailed hawks, and bald eagles, but these numbers include fewer juveniles which may reflect the impact of HPAI on the breeding success of these species.
Members of the workshop facilitation team. Photo courtesy of Dr. Victoria Hall
Wild animals such as raptors don’t adhere to human borders like those outlining states and countries. They also don’t exist in a vacuum and are impacted by the human, animal, and environmental factors around them.
Partners for Wildlife (P4W) is centered around communication—creating connections, sharing resources, and building a stronger, more resilient wildlife rehabilitation community. Nothing this year has brought that more to the forefront than the devastating challenge of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).