Baby sandhill crane rescued by good Samaritan
By Joanna Fitzgerald | Director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital
A sandhill crane was among the 109 patients admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida this past week. Other admissions include a downy woodpecker, a burrowing owl, a great blue heron, an eastern glass lizard, and two gopher tortoises.
The sandhill crane chick was found in Lee County late at night in the middle of Alico Road. The man who rescued the chick kept the baby in a quiet safe area of his home until he could bring the crane to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital the following morning.
A physical exam showed the young crane had signs of trauma that required pain medication and Chinese herbs. Staff monitored the crane closely for the first several hours to ensure the pain medication was working and that the chick was comfortable. By late afternoon, the crane looked more alert and responsive. Cranes are omnivorous so staff offered a variety of food items. The following morning a check on the crane showed a significant improvement in its behavior. The crane was standing, vocalizing and eagerly eating its diet.
The good Samaritan who helped the crane handled the situation perfectly; seeing the crane was in immediate danger of further injury, he offered assistance. He kept the crane safely contained overnight and didn’t delay in bringing the bird to our facility for professional care. The good Samaritan’s kind, common-sense actions ensured the crane was given the best chance possible to make a full recovery.
If you find an animal you believe is in distress, call the wildlife hospital immediately. It is imperative that all injured, sick, and orphaned animals receive immediate professional care. Young animals are particularly delicate and if not given appropriate nutrition, housing, and medications, their health can deteriorate rapidly eliminating any chance of making a full recovery.
The Conservancy’s veterinarian and wildlife hospital staff are dedicated to providing individualized care for each patient admitted. Each animal’s progress is carefully monitored and immediate adjustments are made to treatment plans if an animal’s condition begins to deteriorate. Professional care is crucial to the survival of any wild animal.
Recent Releases
An eastern glass lizard, eight eastern cottontails, two mottled ducks, two common grackles, a northern cardinal, six mourning doves, a raccoon, two herring gulls, two marsh rabbits, a black vulture, two gopher tortoises, and a red-shouldered hawk were all released last week.
Opportunities to Help
There are many ways to remain engaged and support the Conservancy. Become a member, donate and visit our website at www.conservancy.org. Learn about the Conservancy’s work to protect Southwest Florida’s water, land, wildlife and future.
