Veternarians & Citizens Honored for Work With Birds of Prey

Nine Magic Valley Region veterinarian offices, plus staff, and six private citizens were recently honored by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for their work over past years in returning injured birds of prey to the wild. At an appreciation dinner hosted by Fish and Game, these dedicated individuals were presented plaques for donating time, materials, and professional care for hundreds of injured eagles, falcons, hawks and owls. They have done this willingly and with no compensation, other than knowing they are contributing to the conservation of Idaho's valuable wildlife resources. Veterinarians awarded this recognition included the following: Dr. William Strobel and Dr. Warren Becker, Green Acres Pet Center, Twin Falls; Dr. Patricia Saras, Dr. Lisa Ethridge and Dr. Lisa Latshaw, Addison Animal Clinic and Hospital, Twin Falls; Dr. Zsigmond Szanto, Twin Falls Veterinary Clinic and Hospital; Dr. James LaRue, LaRue Veterinary Clinic, Filer; Dr. Kent Womack, Dr. Todd Wells, Dr. Art Maendl and Dr. Ed Briles, West End Veterinary Clinic, Buhl; Dr. Richard Allen, Jerome Veterinary Clinic; Dr. Clyde Gillespie, Animal Medical Clinic, Heyburn; Dr. Mark Acker, Dr. Jeff King and Dr. Laurie Breedveld, Sawtooth Animal Center, Bellevue; Dr. Randall Acker, Dr. Scott Acker, and Dr. Jo-Anne Dixon, Sun Valley Animal Center, Ketchum. Private individuals presented awards for their raptor rehabilitation efforts were: Julie and Robert Randell, Kimberly; Tim and Jenny Ferguson, Burley; Miriam Austin, Twin Falls; Debra Nichols, Twin Falls. Veterinarian offices receive injured birds from Fish and Game that are suffering from broken wings and legs, injured eyes and beaks, malnutrition, poisoning, and many other injuries. These are the results of flying into fixed objects, such as fences, power lines, and houses, collisions with automobiles, and a number of other problems that are a result of living as a bird of prey. Fish and Game attempts to take only those birds to veterinarians that appear to have nearly a 100% chance of recovery and return to the wild as an fully efficient predator. Although everyone would like to return each and every patient back to nature, the majority of injuries are too severe to allow that. In order to live as a raptor, these birds must have all their natural abilities to survive. Birds with compound fractures of wings or legs, missing talons or eyes, or broken beaks most times do not stand a chance for full recovery and release. Over the past three years alone, a total of 339 injured birds of prey have been processed in this endeavor. Of those, 127 were released to the wild, while the remainder were either destroyed because of severe injuries or died in captivity. This resulted in the release of 37% of all birds that the Department, veterinarians and rehabilitators have been aware of and attempted to release. Once birds with the potential for release have been treated by the veterinarians, they are delivered to rehabilitators who must nurse the animals to full recovery. This entails a tremendous commitment of time and energy, for taking care of a bird of prey is a major effort. Birds must be fed and watered, kept in adequate facilities so they do not further damage their injuries, and be allowed to fly in order to regain full use of their natural skills and abilities. Unfortunately, the number of dedicated rehabilitators is insufficient to handle all the birds that are brought to veterinarians and Fish and Game. The region is sorely lacking adequate facilities to house these birds and flight cages for them to exercise. The Department of Fish and Game supports veterinarians and rehabilitators as much as possible. Birds that come to the Department are first examined to determine the extent of injuries. Many times, however, raptors are taken directly to veterinarians that have not been examined first by a qualified person. Due to the severity and frequency of injuries to the more common species, such as great horned owls, barn owls, red tailed hawks, and American kestrels, these species are often times destroyed because of the lack of time and facilities to house and care for them. Those rare and uncommon species, such as bald eagles or peregrine falcons, may be given extra care and attention due to their uniqueness, but again, only if the chances for full recovery are thought possible. Fish and Game provides raptor food for participating veterinarian offices and rehabilitators, has purchased transport and holding cages, manuals on the care and treatment of injured raptors, plus other materials needed for handling birds. The Magic Valley Region's annual nongame budget of $4,000 pays for these materials. This money comes primarily from those people who purchase either the bluebird or elk license plates, from individual checkoffs for nongame on state income tax, and from direct contributions to nongame. The Department receives no state general funds for these projects. Fish and Game greatly appreciates and fully recognizes the dedicated efforts that special regional veterinarians and rehabilitators have given to restoring these majestic birds of prey to the wild. Other veterinarian offices that receive injured wild animals and attempt to heal them are also recognized for their work and contributions. Indeed, the majority of injured wildlife picked up by concerned citizens who attempt to care for them and/or are taken directly to veterinarians, are never reported to Fish and Game. (DIGITAL PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST: mtodd@idfg.state.id.us)