Loon Patients Have Been Released! Now Swimming in the Gulf of Mexico

( Photo: Katie Farvour prepares #1 for his trip to Florida. )

Common Loons are difficult patients. The species is challenging in terms of their high stress nature as well as a fungal disease, aspergillosis that affects loons undergoing physiological stress.

We are elated to tell you that both Common Loon patients REGI staff cared for so diligently since October 10 and 12 respectively, were released in the Gulf of Mexico near Tampa, Florida on November 18, 2010.



(Photo: Katie loads a soon to be former patient into her travel box for a quick trip to Florida and freedom.)

We are indebted once again to the generous corporation located in Central WI for transporting the loons to Florida. The company prefers to remain anonymous, however that does not lessen the magnitude of their gift to REGI and our loon patients.

The following photos will allow you to participate in the trip.



( Photo: One Common Loon in a box. The next time the top is opened she will be in Florida taking her first leap into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico!)



( Photo: Katie and the loons are ready to leave the clinic at 5 a.m. on 11-18-10, bound for the airport.)



( Photo: Katie loading the Loons in the van for the airport trip.)



( Photo: Katie secures the loons inside the corporate jet for their 2.5 hr "accelerated migration" from Central WI to Florida.)



( Photo: Arriving near Tampa, Florida. In an hour they would be wild again.)



( Photo: That bright sunshine tells the loons they are not in Wisconsin anymore!)



( Photo: George Blumenschein had the honor of showing the birds the Gulf of Mexico for the first time in their young lives. We can't help but wonder what was going through the mind of this loon when the photo was taken. )



( Photo: Loon #2 wasted no time before running across the warm waters and taking a short flight.)

All well that ends well they say. The loons both were in serious trouble when they were admitted to REGI.
Loon #1 had his beak wrapped in fishing line, a lead sinker hanging from it. X-rays revealed he had swallowed a fishing hook. The hook was in a precarious position. His chances of recovering were slim, but my staff and I don't give up on birds as long as they demonstrate a willingness to survive. That is how it was with this So it was handsome young loon.
Loon #2 was starving and the victim of lead poisoning. She was more reserved while in captivity. Lead poisoning causes neurological problems as well as multi organ failure. She was critically ill when admitted, but was the first to launch into the air when released.

Both loons swam, dove, preened, and began fishing immediately after release. That is exactly the kind of news we waited to hear!




( Photo: Loon #1 when admitted.)



(Photos: X-rays revealed a disturbing and challenging problem.)



( Photo: Loon #2 shortly after being admitted. She was starving and toxic. )

We are delighted these beautiful Common Loons have a second chance at life. A huge thank you to REGI staff, Katie Farvour, Alberta Halfmann, Lance Holm, Molly McKay and Karissa Mohr for the spectacular care, R.J. Hilger and Sons Inc. for supplying the loons with lots and lots and lots of minnows during their stay, Dr Sarah Lautzenhiser and the Antigo Veterinary Clinic staff for their supurb help, George and Rosalie Blumenschein for meeting the aircraft and taking the loons to the water for release, the citizens that found the sick loons and reported their situation to REGI staff, and the Central WI company that has been our hero so many times flying or patients to release in warm climates. Loons are the most difficult and expensive patients we care for.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we are grateful the loons are swimming in warm waters. We hope their stay with us at REGI is soon a distant memory. The next time they migrate they will use their own wings!

In honor of these magnificent loons, perhaps everyone can make an extra effort to pick up discarded fishing line around lakes or stream and chose to use non-lead fishing tackle and sinkers. You may be one person but you can make a difference for wildlife.

Have a great day everyone.
Marge Gibson © 2010

Loons Times Two, Ruffed Grouse Admitted, Coulee Region Audubon Society and La Crosse Sierra Club Presention

When I last wrote we had one young Common Loon in the REGI clinic. She came in wrapped in fishing line. On Thursday we admitted another Common Loon patient. This is also a young bird. Unfortunately, loon #2 has lead poisoning.


( Photo: This fishing hook is embedded in the digestive system of the Common Loon that was also wrapped in fishing line. If you have ever had a fishing hook in your finger you can appreciate how this must feel to the loon patient. )



( Photo: This is a full body x-ray of the Common Loon. The x-ray shows the location of the fishing hook. Look at center chest of the x-ray. )

Loon #1 is gaining strength and eating well. She remains on one tube feeding a day and is on prophylactic treatment to ward off aspergillosis. She is also on antibiotics. The hook has caused an infection in her abdomen.
The great news is the hook appears to be degrading within her. With a little luck and her strong digestive system, the hook should disappear over the next few weeks. We are so grateful hooks are not made of lead.

Loon #1 was admitted with a weight of under 5 lbs. She is now closing in on 7 lbs!
We are cautiously optimistic she will be a wild loon within a few weeks time. The plan is to fly her to the coast of Florida to be released.


( Photo: Common Loon #1 is gaining strength rapidly. While she currently carries a fish hook in her abdomen, we hope for a full recovery.)

Common Loon #2 is much weaker than our first loon. She has lead poisoning and is under treatment with CA EDTA to chelate the lead from her blood. The good news with this loon is the x-ray does not show any lead in her digestive system. We hope once the lead is chelated from her blood and bones, she will begin to recover as well.

She is being tube fed exclusively as she is unable to eat on her own at this point. Having said that, she grabbed a minnow and ate it early this morning. YEA!


( Photo: Katie F. positions Loon #1 for an x-ray while Betsy R. tech at the Antigo Veterinary Clinic prepares to take her x-ray. Many thanks to Dr. Sarah and the Antigo Vet Clinic for their continued support. )


( Photo: Common Loon #2 swimming in the tub. Notice the pea green feces under her. The green color is an indicator of liver damage and lead poisoning. )

If anyone has access to and can donate live minnows or small fish for our Common Loon patients, we would greatly appreciate it.


( Photo: This young Ruffed Grouse was hit by a car. She is improving daily. We hope for a full recovery. )

A Ruffed Grouse was hit by a car near Elcho, WI. She was fortunate a caring person scooped her up off the road and brought her into REGI for care. Thanks Rachel!

I have been traveling doing programs this past week. On Wednesday I was honored to do a presentation for the Coulee Region Audubon Society and the La Crosse Sierra Club in La Crosse, WI. They are two fantastic groups. Talking to groups involved in the environment is exciting for me on many levels. Many thanks to them for inviting me. I left La Crosse with many new friends.

We continue to prepare for winter at the REGI faciliy.



( Photo: Robert and Brandon working on installing the plastic shielding on the caging.)

Have a great day everyone.

Marge Gibson © 2010