Juvenile Eastern Bluebird Admitted After Cat Attack; Swallow-Tail Kite Released
A juvenile eastern bluebird and a black-crowned night-heron were among the ninety seven animals admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida this past week. Other admissions include a marsh rabbit, an evening bat, a northern flicker, a black skimmer, an eastern screech owl and a Florida softshell turtle.
The woman who rescued the young bluebird lives in Bonita in an area where feral cats have been trapped, neutered and released into the wild. A feral cat killed one of the adult bluebirds and then attacked the young bluebird. The woman rescued the young bluebird from the cat and immediately brought the injured bird to the hospital for care.
The bluebird was examined when admitted. The bluebird had an increased respiratory rate and showed signs of extreme stress. There was a risk for infection because cats have a high number of bacteria in their mouths (cats’ sharp teeth are like hypodermic needles which introduce bacteria deep into an animal’s body when bitten), therefore the bluebird was started on an injectable antibiotic. Electrolytes and pain medication were also administered. The young bluebird was placed on oxygen in an animal intensive care unit; its condition was monitored closely but the internal injuries proved fatal. The bluebird passed away soon after being admitted.
Cat attacks are a common cause of injury to wildlife seen multiple times a day, every day at the wildlife hospital. Many people don’t realize that cats are an invasive species introduced to the United States by European settlers. Whether it is a family pet allowed outdoors or feral cats that are part of a managed colony — free roaming cats pose a huge threat to native birds.
Please, don’t allow cats to roam outdoors. If you find an animal that has been attacked by a cat bring it to the wildlife hospital for immediate medical attention.
Recent Releases
Four mourning doves, two Florida softshell turtles, three Virginia opossum, four gopher tortoises, four blue jays, a Florida snapping turtle, four painted buntings, two eastern cottontails, nine peninsula cooters, a royal tern, a marsh rabbit, four raccoons, a loggerhead shrike, a common grackle, two northern mockingbirds and a swallow-tailed kite were released this past week.
The swallow-tailed kite release was particularly exciting. The kite had been found on the ground in Bonita; a recent fledge not able to sustain flight. After several days in the hospital the kite gained strength and was ready to be released.
Wildlife hospital volunteer Tim Thompson recruited fellow hospital volunteer and owner of Native Bird Boxes, Inc. Brian Beckner to help with the release. Our volunteers worked with the property owner to return the kite to the location where the bird had been found. After being placed on a high branch the kite slowly worked its way higher and higher, jumping from branch to branch, until it took flight and soared away high above the trees.
Opportunities to Help
Please visit the Conservancy website at www.conservancy.org to view all of the amazing volunteer opportunities at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Your volunteer time, donations, and memberships are vital in helping us continue our work to protect Southwest Florida’s water, land, wildlife and future.
Joanna Fitzgerald is director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Call 239–262–2273 or see conservancy.org
