Patient Update and a Huge 'Thank You'!

It's a busy time of year here at REGI, even without all of the babies of summer. We haven't had time for an update for quite some time so I wanted to share with you just a few of our most recent patients.

Photo above: This Bald Eagle was admitted into our clinic with very high levels of lead in his blood. He has undergone treatments for lead poisoning and is still in critical condition. Each treatment for lead poisoning is a couple thousand dollars and recovery is not guaranteed. We hope that he continues to fight for his life; though he is weak from his illness, he has proven to be a fighter. It is likely that he picked up lead from a deer carcass left from the latest gun-deer season. Cases like this lead poisoned Bald Eagle would be virtually non-existent if hunters and fishermen made the simple switch to lead-free ammunition and fishing tackle.

Photo above: This male American Kestrel was suffering from starvation. His weight has improved a bit and his outlook is very good. He is currently in a flight enclosure regaining muscles necessary for flying and continuing to improve his weight.

Photo above: Two young Trumpeter Swans, also called cygnets, are keeping each other company. The cygnet on the left was admitted in very low weight with a high parasite load. Once the parasites were eliminated we put her in with a "buddy". Trumpeter Swans are highly social birds during non-breeding seasons and benefit from contact with others of the same species. It was amazing to watch her improve once she had some company. She went from not eating at all to eating well on her own. She has some weight to gain yet, but she is showing improvement.

Photo above: An adult Trumpeter Swan, admitted with a wing injury, and a cygnet Trumpeter Swan, suffering from starvation, recover together. Like the two swans above, they find comfort in company. Seeing these two birds side by side provides a great example of the differences between adults and cygnets. Adult trumpeter swans are a beautiful snow white color with a black bill and feet. Juvenile, or cygnet, trumpeter swans are a sooty gray color for their first year with a pinkish bill until their first winter. This cygnet is still gray but his bill has already turned black.

Photo above: This female American Goldfinch was admitted with wounds from a cat bite. She has been treated for the bites and is currently recovering. It is so important for people to keep their cats indoors all year long because protected song birds suffer when the cats invariably hunt them.

Thank You!

It is now near the end of the year and we wanted to take time to thank all of our supporters that have helped us out this year and in the past. Because the birds cannot speak for themselves I will help assist them in thanking you. Thank you to everyone who has donated funds, food (including deer hearts!), and supplies; volunteered time; transported injured birds; and anything else that I may have missed. You have helped us in a huge way! You have provided many sick and injured birds a new lease on life. We truly could not continue without the help of all of you!

You are the wind beneath our wings!

Thank you all!

Karissa Mohr

REGI Wildlife Educator

Possible Lead Sinker Ban in the State of WI

( Photo: An adult Bald Eagle dying of lead poisoning. )

I did a spot on channel 7 last night on the lead fishing tackle issue. Lead sinkers are banned by the European Union. Lead sinkers have been banned in Great Britain since 1987. Both the Canadian Wildlife Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service have bans on federal lands. Many states including New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts have a ban as well. Am I the only one who feels a little embarrassed that we fall so far behind other countries in this aspect?

Change is always hard, but lead is a toxin and we have new alternatives. It seems to me, allowing our sportsmen and their families to continue to be exposed to a known toxin is wrong, even a liability, for our state since we know, 100% know and acknowledge, lead is toxic. It is a poison not only to birds but to humans. We hear much about the increased cost of lead alternative sinkers. Are they more expensive? Did you ever notice that specifics of how much more expensive are not discussed? I am a fisherman. I just bought 100 non-lead sinkers for a little over eight dollars ( $8.00). 100 lead sinkers are $6.00. One hundred sinkers lasts a long time. We are talking about $2.00 to save loons, Trumpeter Swans and Eagles. Like I said, I am not sure what the fray is about, other than change is hard. I don't understand, but I assure you my grandchildren are not going to be exposed to lead poisoning.

The Lead Analyzer we use at REGI was developed to do blood lead testing on children usually in the inner cities. Now, we use the same machine to test the blood of Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans and Loons as well as other wildlife. The analyzer is not needed as much for children since paint has been lead free since the mid 1970's in our country.

I am old enough to remember the arguments of paint manufacturers when a ban of lead in paint was being considered. Heated discussions ensued with claims ranging from a ban being "Un-American", to manufacturers would be forced out of business because the plants would need to be re-tooled for the production of lead free paint. There were claims banning lead in paint would be a financial disaster for the U.S. economy.

That was thirty ( 30 ) short years ago. Last winter a toy produced in China was found to have a tiny bit of lead in a single color on the toy. The toy was immediately taken from the shelves. Parents were up in arms over China trying to poison our children. The swing of the pendulum of popular opinion is obvious!

Lead poisoning causes brain damage, neurological problems, seizures and organ failure. We know this. Lead Poisoning is well studied. Literature is readily available. As for me and my family, there is no question what the right answer is.



( Photo: Lead sinkers and lead shot in the digestive system of a Trumpeter Swan.)

Sadly, sportsmen are being taken advantage of with impassioned words from the sport fishing community that promote half truths. As a fisherman myself I am angry my fellow fishermen are being taken advantage in such a way. I ask everyone to make up your own mind. Do your own research. Don't allow only the vested interests of some to create your opinion.

I know personally that fishing and hunting are expensive sports. If you cannot afford an extra $2.00 every few years for non-lead sinkers, then take advantage of our free lead sinker exchange at REGI. We can provide a lot of lead free sinkers for fishermen with the up to $2000 in CA EDTA it takes to treat a single Bald Eagle or Trumpeter Swan for lead poisoning. The last year we had 11 Bald Eagles, 14 Trumpeter Swans and 5 loons with lead poisoning. The is $60,000 in medication alone to help these protected species for the public to continue to enjoy and our economy to continue to benefit through tourism. We get no state or federal funding to help defray this cost. Please think about it and do the right thing.

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 Poisoning Solution Possible! Please Help!

(photo: The Bald Eagle is too often the victim of lead poisoning as it preys upon game which has been shot with lead.)

If you have been following our blogs you may realize the huge impact lead shot and lead sinkers are having on birds. We all know about the dangers of lead in humans, that is why it has been virtually eliminated from our lives. Lead has equally dangerous effects on birds and wildlife. Many of our patients come in poisoned with lead and in desperate need on chelation treatments to cleanse it from their bodies. A great article to read to learn more about why and how this happens is Get the Lead Out.

It is easy to feel helpless about what is happening in the world at large. We all know that we need to make personal changes and stop using lead in our hunting and fishing practices ourselves. Here at REGI we just got wind of something more that we can do and you can as well!

The US Department of Interior and the USEPA have started discussions on creating rules to ban the use of lead tackle and shot. I urge you to join our letter writing campaign and urge officials to make our environment safe for our feathered friends. We have heard that hunting and fishing lobbies have scheduled a meeting with Ken Salazar on January 26th to discuss their opposition to a ban on lead hunting and fishing products, so time is of the essence. It is important that you write a letter in support of a ban on lead IMMEDIATELY! It is best if these letters are not form letters but personalized letters. National Park Service is the agency that is closest to taking action, so letters sent to Mr. Salazar should focus on NPS actions to limit the use of Pb in national park lands. We recommend that letters to the president ask for attention and action by the EPA, since this is the agency that regulates the introduction of toxics into the environment. It's time for ALL conservationists (whether our interests are consumptive or non-consumptive) to step up to the plate and work towards the elimination of a toxic material into the environment.

You may find these talking points useful:
Lead in almost every other aspect of our life has been removed from paint to fuel for our automobiles. The use in sports such as hunting and fishing is a last hold out even though solid scientific studies show the effect on human health as well as wildlife.

• There is a lot of good scientific evidence that shows the significant acute and chronic effects of lead on humans, domestic animals and wildlife.
• There are lots of NON-lead options for alternatives to lead hunting and fishing equipment and they are not prohibitively expensive.
• Hunters and anglers have always been thought of as active conservationists and there is an important role for them in making this change -- to protect health, to protect the environment and to protect the resources that we all cherish.

Please encourage your friends, family members and co-workers to join you in supporting measures which will help us eliminate lead for the safety of birds as well as ourselves.

Please write a letter to your local representatives as well as our president and the head of the department of interior.

Barack Obama, President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Ken Salazar, Secretary
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington DC 20240

Thank You!
Molly

Trumpeter Swans, Former REGI Patients Documented Alive, Well and Thriving

(Photo: Don and I carry Trumpeter Swan 87Y from his carrier to the St Croix River in Hudson, WI and release to the wild, on March 5, 2009.)

I love happy stories. This blog will detail two very happy events.

No matter what the problem that causes wild patients to be admitted to REGI, seeing them recover to be released back to the wild is joyful. Knowing our former patients are successful and thriving in the wild after being rehabilitated at REGI is beyond exciting.



( Photo: Trumpeter Swan with distinctive straight black beak. Trumpeter Swans are our largest flying bird in the U.S.)

Trumpeter Swans were on the State of WI endangered species list until last last year. Wisconsin began a Trumpeter Swan reintroduction program in the early
1990's. The magnificent swans are long-lived and usually mate for life. The Trumpeter Swan was native to the Midwest before being hunted to near extinction in the late 19th and early 20th century for their feathers. The feathers were used for ladies' hats.

The beginning of the story was difficult for both Trumpeter Swans, as well as those of us who cared for them around the clock.

Each year REGI receives many Trumpeter Swans suffering from lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is a human-caused problem. Lead is accessed by swans when they forage on the bottom of ponds, streams or lakes. Our lakes throughout the country have been used for fishing and hunting of waterfowl for over a hundred years. Recently, the use of lead shot has been made illegal for waterfowl hunting in many states. It is, however, still available for use in fishing and other types of hunting. Unfortunately, lead is pervasive in the environment. It does not decompose. It will be at the bottom of bodies of water forever. Wildlife is particularly at risk to contacting the lead shot and sinkers in years when water levels are low. Lead is highly toxic. That is why we no longer have lead in the paint we use in our homes and unleaded gas is used in our cars. The fact is that a piece of lead the size of a grain of sand can poison a human child. You can imagine what a bit of lead shot can do to wildlife species much smaller than a child. When a patient with lead poisoning is admitted, chelation injections begin immediately. Often the patients are suffering organ failure and starvation by the time they are found, caught, and brought to REGI. The recovery process is long, arduous, and very expensive. CaEDTA is the compound used for the chelation process. The cost per patient in medication alone can exceed $2000.



( Photo: Lead poisoning is disgusting, heart wrenching to watch, and very difficult at best for patients that struggle with this human-caused poisoning. This is a Trumpeter Swan patient from last year. I am massaging his abdomen to try to stimulate his digestive system which shut down due to lead poisoning. This photo was published in media world wide.)

In the spring of 2006 REGI admitted a Trumpeter Swan collared with the number 86C. The number becomes their "name" here at REGI. A female Trumpeter Swan, 86C was found weak and lethargic on a lake in Northern WI. She was transported to REGI. Trumpeter Swan 86C had lead poisoning. Treatment was started and was successful. She was with us for nearly a year before she was fully recovered and ready for release to the wild. I was unable to find photos of 86C while she was in care, but the photo below was taken as she was leaving REGI for release.



( Photo: Fully recovered from lead poisoning, Trumpeter Swan 86C is on the right as she is leaving REGI for release to the wild.)

Barry Wallace is a friend and long-time swan watcher and citizen scientist. He happens to live on the St. Croix River in Hudson, WI which just happens to be where large numbers of Trumpeter Swans gather to over-winter. Barry is allowed to feed them to keep them healthy and in good condition. Barry is a heck of a great person and the hero not only of this story but also of many others.

A few weeks ago I got an email from Barry. The subject line was "Hi from an old friend".
I opened the email to good news! It seems Trumpeter Swan 86C was back wintering at Hudson with a handsome mate over 2 years after she was released. She was "looking good" Barry said, and while he was not able to get a photo, he was working on it! I was elated!!



( Photo: Trumpeter Swan 87Y with his lovely new mate in early December 2009at Hudson, WI )

The next day came another email from Barry. This time he was even more excited than before. He had a photo of a very special swan to both of us. Trumpeter Swan 87Y was also seen, and this time he has a photo! He too had a lovely young mate with him. While all patients are special to us, 87Y has even more history with Barry. The swan will be fifteen years old this spring. Barry has watched him come to Hudson each and every winter for all of those years. Last year it was Barry that pulled him from the river nearly dead and got him to REGI for treatment. This sighting was even more special that most!



( Photo: On March 5, 2009 Trumpeter Swan 87Y is getting a new neck collar from DNR/BER Biologist Pat Manthey. Barry Wallace holds the large male swan during the process.)



( Photo: Barry Wallace holds Trumpeter Swan 87Y just before he is released to the wild. Barry has watched 87Y since he was a youngster some 15 years ago.)

So, there you have it! Two terrific success stories. Both swans had very high levels of lead in their blood. The lead levels were so high we felt survival would be nearly impossible. We love knowing when our former patients are doing well in the wild. We are confident that most birds released from REGI care do thrive, and having proof is exciting. We are fortunate that the Trumpeter Swans are marked so clearly so we can follow them. We are also lucky to have someone like Barry Wallace to spend his winters helping the population of Wisconsin and Minnesota Trumpeter Swans survive the winters in a safe area like Hudson.

Thanks to Barry, Mary Wicklund and the other wonderful folks out there who do their part to help wildlife get through the long winters.

Have a great tomorrow everyone.
Marge Gibson © 2009