Lead Loon: Surgery, Recovery, & RELEASE!

We have spectacular news on the lead filled loon! 

Our staff & loon breathed a sigh of relief at the Antigo Veterinary Clinic this past week as an operation was completed to remove the lead sinkers. We crossed our fingers as the loon underwent a procedure that has only been completed a handful of times in avian rehabilitation history!!! This blog is a recap of the procedure, recovery, and RELEASE!!!!!!

For those of you who are not aware of the loon's story, he was found washed up in a marina unaware of his surroundings. Upon being admitted to the REGI clinic, the loon's blood lead levels were so high our device had no way of knowing what the true level was, and the X-ray a day later confirmed our fears. The loon had 2 lead sinkers in its gizzard. A death sentence for any loon not brought in for treatment. To add to the loons growing list of problems, he came in with a severe case of avian botulism.

 The loon upon arrival into the REGI clinic. Lethargic, thin, and extremely high lead levels

 X-rays at the vet clinic showed 2 lead fishing sinkers in the loon's gizzard

 Loon eyes are a beautiful maroon color. Not too often can you see them so closely. This individual loon is beginning to molt it's feathers

Lead poisoning is treated with several series of daily injections, and can take anywhere from weeks to months to see real results depending on the species and how severe the case is.

After a week of trying everything in our power to get the sinkers out, we knew that it was time to take some drastic measures for this bird to have a chance at recovery. We brought the loon in to the Antigo Veterinary Clinic and thus began a physically and emotionally grueling afternoon. The loon was sedated as a tube was fed through its mouth and down to its stomach. Water was then rushed through the tube and into the loons system where it began to pop out pebble, after pebble, after pebble. Just as it seemed like the treatment would show no results, lone behold, 2 lead sinkers sat among the rocks on the table.

The air in the room was tense, but a huge wave of relief flooded the REGI and vet clinic staff.

IT GETS BETTER!!!!! 

After monitoring his progress and declining lead levels this week, he was released today (8/17) by the interns! His release is a huge relief to the REGI crew. "I've never seen a loon that close before," said intern Molly. Neither had the rest of the REGI interns. To see a loon that close means that they really are feeling down-in-the-dumps. Loons, for obvious reasons, don't fair well in captivity, and we are happy to see him headed home to the open water! 

The following is a string of photos from the procedure, recovery, and release

 After arrival at the veterinary clinic, the loon was carefully sedated by veterinarian Sarah with help from our Turkish veterinarian Aysegul & interns Molly and Sarah

 Veterinarian Sarah feeds the tube into the loon's mouth. Water will be pushed through the tube in hopes of pushing out the two lead sinkers

 Oxygen is given to the loon following the procedure

 After the procedure, Turkish veterinarian Aysegul checks the loon's vitals as interns Alyssa, Molly, and Sarah hope for a successful recovery

 The two sinkers and one of the several rocks that were pushed out of the loon's system

After fully waking up from the anesthesia, the loon quickly returned to fishing for minnows in the REGI clinic

It's a great feeling to be able to watch the loon catch fish knowing there's no lead sinkers left in his system. He makes quick work of a tub filled with minnows

The Antigo Vet Clinic team accompanied by interns Alyssa, Molly, and Sarah, executive director Marge Gibson, and our visiting Turkish veterinarian Aysegul! GREAT JOB LADIES!

 Interns Alyssa, Molly, Sarah, and Turkish veterinarian Aysegul wishing the loon safe travels!

Please, please, please think about switching to non-lead tackle & ammunition. 

Cases like this are 100% preventable, and YOU have the power to change it!

For alternatives to lead tackle click here.

For alternatives to lead ammunition click here.

A HUGE thank you to the Antigo Veterinary Clinic for their hard work and patience through this case and the countless others that they have helped us out with.

To donate to the Raptor Education Group, Inc.'s patients , CLICK HERE!

- Katie Rymer, Assistant Avian Rehabilitator

The Photo-filled Blog of the Century. WOW, Lead Loon, Patient Updates.

It's been a while since the last blog. It's been a work in progress for some time now. Every time I feel like it's ready to go... something amazing happens. So here it goes ladies and gentlemen... an amazingly long, awesome, photo-filled blog!

Lets spin back time a little ways. We've had several releases these past few weeks! Releases are the epitome of our hard work at REGI.  I have to say that working with the patients in the clinic can be an emotional roller-coaster, but releases make everything worth it. I wish everyone could experience the feeling of releasing a rehabilitated bird back into the wild. Here's some photos from our recent releases.

We just love releases. But release wouldn't be possible without rehab, and rehab isn't possible at REGI without support from YOU!

This past weekend we celebrated the 3rd Annual Wings Over Wausau (WOW... great acronym if you ask me!). WOW was a big success this year, we saw several faces from last year, as well as hundreds of new wide-eyed bird nerds in training! Although many people came out to see the birds up close and personal and hear their stories, WOW also featured a silent auction table, vendors, food, and bird games.

Thank you everyone for coming out to support us! We couldn't do it without YOU!!

 The Wausau Grand Theater, a beautiful backdrop for the stars of the show!

 The staff, interns, and volunteers getting ready for the doors to open!

 Mike with a male American kestrel and intern Kerry with a peregrine falcon at the falcon station.

 Interns Alyssa and Sarah at the turkey vulture station.

 Executive director Marge Gibson with an education Western red-tailed hawk.

Rehabilitator Katie holds a red-tailed hawk stretching her wings over Wausau... get it?

Not a second after getting the birds put away from WOW, we had 2 new patients come through the doors and, the phone rang once more. 

A loon had been found up in Ashland, Wisconsin (4 hours from REGI) washed up in a marina on the boat launch. Nothing appeared to be injured and to the staff here at REGI that meant one thing.... lead poisoning. After flying to REGI via airplane, the loon landed safely in Antigo. After drawing blood to check the lead levels our suspicions were confirmed. The lead levels were off the charts.

The common loon shortly after being admitted with an off-the-charts lead level

 X-rays from the loon showed 2 lead sinkers in the bird's intestine

After a trip to the Antigo Vet Clinic, the X-rays revealed 2 lead sinkers in the loon. Not a good diagnosis. Lead from the sinkers works its way into the bird's blood and sequesters in the bones. Treatment is time consuming, meticulous, and extremely expensive.

Lead poisoning in birds is 100% human-induced, and loons aren't the only ones that are effected. Eagles, swans, and the endangered California condor are constantly in a battle against lead. One lead sinker can kill an eagle. One lead sinker can kill a swan. One lead sinker could kill REGI's new patient loon. Just ONE. Our unlucky loon has ingested two.

Although not impossible, the road ahead will be a difficult one for this guy. Staff is working round the clock and we have our fingers crossed that the sinkers come out soon so we can begin the road to recovery. Until then, we play a difficult and frustrating waiting game.

** For more information on lead poisoning in wild birds please click here.

** DO YOU FISH? For alternatives to lead tackle please click here.

On a happier note, there are some of our growing babies... one of which has stole the hearts of many... the Virginia rail!

 Look at the Virginia rail! He's getting so big (relatively speaking), and is about the size of your palm. He's graduated into an outdoor enclosure!

 This young goldfinch came in not long ago without feathers. Hard to believe it's already turning yellow!

 This young cardinal is under the wing of an adult male foster parent

This killdeer came in weighing no more than the change in your pocket, but has grown into a stunning young bird. Keep an eye on the blog for an upcoming release!

As happy as I am to share our baby bird updates... I can't stress enough the importance of using non-lead sinkers & ammunition. Just as we've moved away from lead paint in homes for our own health, we now need to focus on a mind-frame to protect the environment we live in. 

As a full-time rehabilitator, hunter, and fisherman, I wish every outdoors-man could witness a lead poisoning case first hand. It changes everything.

- Katie Rymer, Assistant Avian Rehabilitator

Baby Passerines Pour In, House Finches, American Robins, Ducklings and Gosling, Sandhill Crane With Leg Injury and Lead Poisoning.

( Photo: This is the first sight I see in the morning and the last thing at night, and a few times in the middle of the night! These mouths belong to the nestling House Finches pictured below. Nestling passerines have to be fed every 20 minutes their first week of life.)

Whew! We have been BUSY at REGI. We admitted 18 baby birds of various species and varieties including Eastern Phoebes, American Robins and House Finches, Mallard ducklings and Canada Gosling, and a Bluebird just in the past few days. We also admitted an adult Sandhill Crane ,American Kestrel,and a Red-tailed Hawk.

The phone is ringing often these days with calls about injured birds, baby birds in trouble and sometimes just bird related questions. We like the questions especially if it means we can keep baby birds with their parents to be raised naturally and without human intervention.



( Photo: House Finch nestlings are adorable with bright red mouths and soft melodic voices even when they are tiny. The little ones can easily be mistaken for the House Sparrow which is an invasive species and not well liked in most birding circles.)



(Photo: Four hatchling American Robins snuggle in this tissue. )



( Photo: An American Robin nestling just hatched. You can see the tendency to curl into the shape of the egg is still natural for this tiny one. It is hard to believe this tiny mite will be turn into the State Bird of Wisconsin in a few months. )



( Photo: These four little Mallard Ducks became orphans when their mom was hit by a car near Wausau.)



( Photo: The frightened ducklings ( above) were soon asleep under the heat lamp after their stressful morning.)

Most of the birds we care for come from members the of the public that either see an accident or other injury occur and call REGI for help. A young woman was on her way to work when she saw a female Mallard Duck hit by a car. She was horrified to see several tiny ducklings scatter into the underbrush. The ducklings had been following their mother across the busy road. This stellar young woman did what any daughter would, she called her dad for help! Her parents soon arrived on the scene, scooped up the ducklings and brought them to REGI.



( Photo: Alberta holds a Canada Goose gosling. It was found wandering alone near a lake in Shawano County. )



( Photo: More House Finch babies arrived today from Lincoln County. These are younger than the group admitted this weekend. )

Friday night we responded to a call near Hatley, WI. A Sandhill Crane, unable to walk well was caught up by a landowner and needed help transporting her. We found Kathy and Jay Drobnik waiting with the crane as we arrived. Not only did the crane have a leg/hip injury but was thin and exhibited other neurological signs. We tested her and found she had lead poisoning. We don't find lead poisoning in Sandhill Cranes often. When we asked, the Drobniks mentioned the lake was very low. I will explain why that is a problem and why it can lead to lead poisoning in a future blog.



( Photo: This adult female Sandhill Crane was likely hit by a car and sustained a hip injury. We were surprised to find she also has lead poisoning.)

Forgive the haste of this writing. Baby birds are calling and need to be fed. More photos and updates soon.

As always, our thanks to the great folks that have played a part in saving these fragile creatures. Have a great tomorrow everyone.

Marge Gibson © 2010

WDNR Spring Hearings Right Around the Corner

(Photo: One of our lead poisoned Bald Eagle patients who came in over the winter.)

On Monday, April 12, each Wisconsin resident will have the opportunity to have your voice heard at the DNR Spring Wildlife and Fisheries Proposed Rules Hearing and Annual Conservation Congress County Meeting. The spring hearings are an opportunity for individuals interested in natural resources to provide input through a non-binding vote to the DNR, Natural Resources Board and Conservation Congress. You can access the questionnaire before attending the hearing to get an idea of what other issues are being voted on and what changes are being proposed. While there are many proposals to be voted on at this hearing, and each them holds equal importance, there is one rule that will be voted on that is very near and dear to our hearts here at REGI. That is rule 61.

QUESTION 61 – Lead reduction in fishing tackle Lead in the environment is poisonous to wildlife. This proposal is designed to reduce the incidence of lead poisoning (lead toxicosis) in waterbirds, shorebirds and secondary poisoning of raptors, such as eagles and ospreys by reducing the amount of lead added to Wisconsin waters due to lost fishing tackle. Studies have shown wildlife is most likely to ingest fishing tackle measuring less than 2.5 cm (1 inch) length and 25g (1 ounce) in weight. Removing lead in fishing tackle of this size would be the most effective way of protecting wildlife. The Federal lead shot ban for waterfowl hunting, and state restrictions on lead use in fishing tackle in MA, VT, NH, NY and ME have reduced toxicosis in waterfowl. A follow up study on the effectiveness of lead free fishing tackle in New England has shown a reduction in bird mortality. A similar ban in Wisconsin will protect our wildlife resources and migrating populations moving through our state. Since inexpensive non-lead alternatives to lead sinkers and jigs are currently being manufactured and are available to retailers at a reasonable cost, transition to non-lead alternatives will not put an undue hardship on Wisconsin anglers. Would you support efforts by the state to phase out the use of lead fishing tackle less than one inch in length and less than one ounce in weight for use in Wisconsin waters?
61. YES ___X____ NO _______

Be sure to check YES! to support efforts by the state to phase out the use of lead fishing tackle! This change could make the world of a difference to many birds.


(Photo: Bald Eagle suffering from lead poisoning.)

If you have been following our blog for a while you have no doubt seen the impact that lead has had on our patients time and time again. Lead poisoning affects water fowl who scoop up lead tackle from the bottom of waterways along with gravel as well as Bald Eagles and Osprey. Some of the symptoms of lead poisoning include bright green feces and eyes, indicating liver failure, seizures and disorientation. Lead poisoned patients require a series of chelation treatments to try to rid the body of the lead. A tiny amount of lead can cause toxicosis in a bird.

We are looking forward to having a chance to make our voices heard on this issue. There are 72 of these meetings to be held in each county in Wisconsin. Find out where your counties spring hearing is being held by checking out the full list.

(Photo: Marge Gibson massages a Trumpeter Swan who is suffering from lead poisoning.)

So lets get out there and make our voices heard! This is a great opportunity to do something important. We hope that all of our readers will take the time to attend the DNR Spring Hearing and vote YES! to reduce lead in the environment. Put it on your calendars Monday, April 12 at 7:00 pm.

Hope to see you all there!

Molly McKay
Environmental Education Coordinator

A Beautiful Swan Story, Trumpeter Swan Lead Poisoning, End of Year Paperwork

( Photo: 86C is a female Trumpeter Swan that recovered from lead poisoning at REGI three years ago. Her mate died of lead poisoning, on their breeding territory just before she was brought in for rehabilitation. This fall she found a new mate, 56A, who also lost his mate to lead poisoning. 86C has taken on the role of step-mom to youngster, the cygnet 41N. The cygnet's mom died of lead poisoning this summer. )

Soap operas don't only happen on our televisions. The story on the Trumpeter Swan family above is an interesting one and has all the intrigue, despair, compassion and love as any soap opera created in Hollywood. Since this story is true and stars a former REGI patient, we are even more excited. The photo was taken by friend and swan aficionado Barry Wallace, Hudson, WI. I have discussed Barry and his amazing contribution to the Trumpeter Swan population of both WI and MN in an earlier blog posting. If you have not read it, just believe me, he is one terrific person.

The swan wearing the yellow neck collar 86C was a patient at REGI three years ago. She and her mate both had lead poisoning. Her mate died before he could be captured, but 86C survived and was brought to REGI for rehabiliation and released two years ago.

State of Wisconsin Avian Ecologist Pat Manthey e-mailed the following history of the swans in the photo.
" Here's the story. 41N is the son or daughter of 56A. The mother was 24C. She was found dead of lead poisoning mid-summer. In the fall of 2009, 56A found a new mate. The new mate was former REGI patient, 86C, who lost her own mate to lead poisoning, when she herself was poisoned over three years ago. They found each other when 86C had flew into his (56A) nesting pond with several other swans. The site is privately owned beaver pond near Hayward; we call it Chippanazie Lake Beaver Pond. We know all this because the landowner is a close observer of "his" swans. He retrieved the dead 24C so we could get a necropsy, and he observed the new pairing-up of 56A."

I hope you have been able to follow all the references to "numbers". The State of Wisconsin, as well as several other states, uses an alpha numeric system on neck collars of Trumpeter Swans as a way to identify the birds in field situations. That way, it is easy to document the swans' movements, migration and breeding success or failure. Trumpeter Swans were on the Endangered Species list until last fall in our state but are still endangered in several other states.



( Photo: Lead pellets in the digestive system of a Trumpeter Swan. Lead poisoning is a terrible toxin. Swans have access to lead pellets and sinkers that lie on the bottom of ponds and lakes. The swans' method of eating is to strain mud for invertebrates. Tons of lead lie on the bottom on our lakes in this country. The swans are poisoned when they accidentally swallow the lead in the process of eating. It takes a bit of lead the size of a grain of sand to poison a human child. You can see the size of the sinkers and pellets in the x-ray of the swan and can understand why so many die before they are ever found.)


( Photo: Another x-ray of a Trumpeter Swan with lead pellets. They are the light-colored round solid bits in her lower abdomen.)

This week we will be doing several pre-release physicals or "exit" physicals, as I like to call them. This will be the last time we examine the birds before they are free birds once more. Most of those physicals will occur on Saturday because we are releasing the Bald Eagles on Sunday the 31st. However, one will be done on a Trumpeter Swan that has been here since spring. She came in with lead poisoning. It has taken these months until she is ready to take her place in the wild once more.


( Photo: This Trumpeter Swan will be released early next week in Hudson, WI after recovering from lead poisoning at REGI.)

I am finishing the "end of year state and federal reports" today. If you call and find me grumpy...well, I will be.

Send some zen in your thoughts to me today. ( I hate paperwork.)

Marge Gibson © 2010

Lead Poisoned Bald Eagle Update

We start with some sad new tonight. Our lead-poisoned Bald Eagle lost her fight for life early this morning. Further testing will be done to determine if aspergillosis had developed before she was admitted on Sunday.
It is hard to lose such a beautiful bird. It is doubly hard to lose her to something that is totally human-caused and preventable.

We want to thank everyone who was involved in getting help for the eagle and those
who have called and emailed hoping for her recovery.

More news tomorrow.
Marge Gibson

Lead Poisoned Bald Eagle Admitted from Bancroft, WI

( Photo: This three year old female Bald Eagle was admitted late this afternoon from the Bancroft, WI. area. Sadly, she has an "off the charts" high blood lead level. She continues to suffer convulsions from the neurological affects of the lead on her brain.)

A group of deer hunters went from hunting deer to saving a Bald Eagle in a matter of a few short hours. They are our first REGI heroes of the day.

It was mid-morning when a call came in from Kendra Sawyer. Kendra was a REGI Intern in the summer of 2008. She was home recovering from a bout of the flu when her boyfriend called for help. He was deer hunting and came across an immature Bald Eagle lying in the woods. He knew the bird was alive only when she lifted her head slightly. We have transporters, but no volunteers in the Bancroft area capable of catching up even a very sick eagle. Additionally, walking the woods during deer hunting season is not safe unless dressed in regulation orange clothing.
I gave Kendra the bad news. We could help the bird, but were unable to make the 2.5 hour drive each way to search for it and get it out of the woods.



( Photo: The Bald Eagle is give oral fluids and nutrition through a tube to the crop. Weekend staffer, Aprill Jaeger holds the bird as I feed her. )

I knew the only chance this very sick bird had would be if Kendra's boyfriend Jake, captured it and brought it out of the woods. I hesitated to suggest the possibility particularly since the deer hunt has not been good this year. I knew this last day would be important to the hunting party. Jake rose to the occasion. Using only his sleeping bag to restrain the eagle, he carried her to flu hobbled Kendra's waiting car. ( Kendra is our second Hero of the day.)

It is amazing to me how things come together in these cases. Kendra was not feeling well enough to be out of bed let alone drive the eagle to Antigo. We enlisted longtime REGI volunteer transporters, David and Judy Marshall, of nearby Wisconsin Rapids, WI to transport the eagle to REGI in Antigo. ( Dave and Judy are the third and fourth Heroes of the day.)



( Photo: The young Bald Eagle is given a shot of Calcium Versenate to begin the process of chelating the lead from her blood. In the photo she is beginning to curl inward as a seizure overtakes her. A long road is ahead of the bird and the REGI team as we fight for her life.)

It will be a long night tonight. I will be with her most of the night. We quite literally have to hold large birds such as Bald Eagles so they do not break their wings during the convulsions. The beautiful bird has many strikes against her. As I write this she has had two injections of CA EDTA. I hope the chelation therapy begins to work soon to ease her suffering.

I have included several links below for your interest in how wildlife and people are exposed to lead during and after hunting season. Lead is a toxin. We as a species are well aware of that. Lead has been removed from all other aspects of our life. Last year there was a huge outcry when a bit of lead showed up in the certain colors of paint used in childrens toys that come from China. For some reason however, lead ammunition is still used in most states in the U.S. for hunting, and lead sinkers and jigs for fishing. We and our children eat the meat and wildlife is put at great risk as well. Thanks to Scott Diehl, for providing the sites.

Tis the season as they say. For us and for wildlife in the country it is "Lead poisoning season". This is the first of the lead poisonings this fall but it will not be the last. Keep us in your thoughts tonight.
Marge

Lead in game shot with lead ammo
Lead and the Environment
Lead fragments in venison
POTENTIAL FOR INGESTION EXPOSURE TO LEAD FRAGMENTS IN VENISON IN WISCONSIN