Snowpocalypse
I’m feeling pretty lucky today. Although we have over a foot of snow on the ground (with two foot plus drifts) and the temperature is 20 degrees, we have power, unlike several hundred thousand people on the west side of Oregon. Below is the doorway into the large flight pen.
Snowy Owl Frosty thinks conditions are perfect!
Turkey Vulture Daryl is not impressed.
Bald Eagle 21-029 Another Lead Poisoned Eagle
Saturday afternoon Volunteers Kenny and Janie responded to a call by a man who found a Bald Eagle near Wallula Junction along the Columbia River. The eagle was on the ground and could not fly. When Kenny and Janie arrived, the eagle tried to get away, but collapsed after traveling about 10 feet. After spending the night at BMW’s Tri-Cities Center, Kenny brought the eagle to Pendleton Sunday, in between snow storms. The eagle’s blood lead level was 129.5 micrograms/deciliter, a critically toxic level. The eagle is emaciated, weighing 2.42 kg (5.3 pounds). Eight pounds would be a normal weight for a male. He is also anemic. Anemia can be the result of starvation, but its also common in lead poisoning because the lead inhibits the production of red blood cells. Chelation and supportive care were begun immediately. Hopefully this eagle will fare better than the golden eagle admitted last week.
The eagle was likely scavenging gut piles from deer recently harvested by hunters using lead ammunition. Using non-lead ammunition will prevent secondary poisoning of scavengers. To learn more about Hunting Lead Free please visit http://www.huntingwithnonlead.org
