Barred Owl, Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Bald Eagle, Great Horned Owl, and Eastern Screech Owl... Oh My!

It has been a busy few days here around REGI! We have admitted quite a few new patients, six of which I'd like to share with you now.

Photo above: This Barred owl was admitted after being hit by a car near the Langlade, WI area. His first few days here were a little rough; he had blood in his nares (nostrils) which is indicative of internal damage. Internal bleeding is very common in birds that have been hit by cars and can be fatal; luckily for this gorgeous owl, his injuries are healing. We are very pleased to say that he is recovering very well and will soon be ready for release!

If you look closely at the feathers between his eyes you can see what looks like snow stuck to them. That is actually frozen water vapor that has collected from each breath he releases. That proves how perfectly suited these owls are for winter weather. They are so well insulated that their body heat is trapped below their feathers and snow doesn't even melt on them. Amazing!

Photo above: This Canada Goose was admitted this morning from the Stratford, WI area, suffering from an old gunshot injury. Being that Canada Goose hunting season ended in mid December and assuming her injury came from an attempted legal harvest, she has been braving this northern winter for a couple months, unable to fly. In areas of the Midwest that retain open water during all seasons, some Canada geese might attempt to stay the winter, but most geese have long flown South.

Her injury resulted in the loss of part of her wing which means that she will not be able to return to the wild; however, all hope is not lost. She has a big job in her future; every spring, it is inevitable that we will need to raise Canada Goose goslings. Assuming that she is able to regain her strength and a healthy weight, she will make a wonderful foster mom for many orphaned goslings.

Canada Geese are a harvestable species meaning that it is legal to shoot them during designated seasons. Injuries like the ones sustained by this Canada Goose really come down to hunter responsibility. If a poor shot is taken, it is up to the hunter to do everything they can to find the injured bird and prevent suffering. We are very thankful for the person who found this goose and brought her to safety; the world needs more people like that.

Photo above: This Trumpeter Swan cygnet (youngster) was found in the Gilman area which is in North Western Wisconsin. The area in which he was found has no open water and the reasons why he was there are unclear. He is suffering from vision problems from an unspecified injury, and also as a chip in his beak which may indicate head trauma. It is not certain that his vision will ever improve, but we will continue to monitor him. Blood tests showed no lead poisoning which is good news; one less thing he has to overcome.

Photo Above: An upsetting story... This Bald Eagle was found in the Wittenberg, WI area suffering from gunshot wounds. Some very good people found him and brought him to safety, but unfortunately, the damage from the shot was so severe it resulted in the loss of part of the wing. It is likely that he has an occupation as an education bird in his future.

Judging by the coloration on the eagle's head, he is likely around 3 or 4 years old. Bald Eagles don't get their signature "bald" head until they are about 5 years old and this fellow is still showing dark streaks.

Like we have mentioned before, harming ANY raptor is illegal! I plan to do this work for the rest of my life, and I don't think I will ever understand why someone would want to murder our National bird. We are very grateful for the kind people who rescued him.

Photo above: This Great Horned Owl from Arpin, WI was found tangled in a barbed wire fence. He has some damage to his right wing, but it looks like he will be releasable! He looks quite upset in the photo, and that is good! It means he is feeling well enough to be defensive. Great Horned Owls always have a very strong personality so that is another good sign for this guy.

Barbed wire is an especially dangerous obstacle for animals, including birds. The barbs are very effective at hooking into tissue and once an animal is caught, it often needs help from a human to get free. This owl was extremely lucky in that his injuries were minor and someone found in in a short period of time. Unfortunately, most animals found tangled in barbed wire have already died.

Barbed wire can be made "safer" by keeping the wire taut and by tying strips of light colored cloth at multiple points between each fence post. The tautness helps keep animals from twisting in between two wires and the cloth strips make the wire more visible and avoidable for low-flying birds. The same is true for other types of wire fences. They're an unexpected danger that we can and should help to reduce; after all, we are the ones putting them up.

Photo above: This Eastern Screech Owl was found in Antigo, WI, with a very interesting story. A lovely woman walked into her living room to find this adorable little Screech Owl perched atop one of her vases! Imagine her surprise! Being that the owl was covered in soot and had some roughed-up feathers, we deduced that she must have "broken in" through the fireplace chimney. This odd situation isn't as rare as you might think.

Many species of owls, including Eastern Screech Owls, are cavity-nesters, meaning that they nest in holes in trees. As luck would have it, chimneys resemble these tree cavities closely enough for owls to be confused. Raccoons have also found themselves inside people's homes after making the same mistake. If you would like to avoid having owls or raccoons ambling down your chimney, a simple chimney cap should usually do the trick.

Another odd thing about the screech-owl-in-living-room situation is that Eastern Screech Owls are generally found South of Wausau, WI; Antigo, WI is an hour, by car, north of there. Why she was this far North is a mystery.

She is being observed for several days to make sure that there isn't an underlying problem, but she is in good weight and should be released quite soon!

On top of all the patients, we were lucky enough to be visited by a few students today from the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point. Two of them are here from Japan for a short time doing a training program through the University. We had a great time showing them around and they taught us about the raptors native to Japan; it was a real treat! Katie Rymer, an intern from this past summer, drove them all up to Antigo and it was great to have her "home" at REGI again!

Photo above: The students learned to handle birds during their time with us. We hope they enjoyed their time at REGI as much as we enjoyed having them! (Photo Credit: Molly McKay)

As always, thank you all for your donations and support!

We couldn't do this without you!

Have a great weekend!

Karissa Mohr

REGI Wildlife Educator

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

Riding the Roller Coaster of Life at REGI- The Good

(Photos: Stevens Point Bald Eagle eaglet is weighed when admitted. We use a baby scale and they are usually very cooperative laying still. No sedation is used in case you are wondering. Katie, Natasha, Lance and Steve look on.
Photo below: Head shot of the young Bald Eagle.

This has been one of those few days where you feel like you are on a roller coaster. One minute you have GREAT even TERRIFIC news and the next something horrible comes through the door and within a minute there is a call about an animal abuse situation that is intolerable and very literally within minutes after that you are putting food into the mouth of a precious little barn swallow so filled with innocence and enthusiasm of just being alive. Then the whole cycle starts all over again.

On the Terrific end of things, the young Bald Eagle was put with the foster dad and other eaglet that is already in the rearing chamber. Things went perfectly for the newly formed little family. While the photo I could get isn't perfect you can see the dad on the left and the two youngsters in the nest on the right. You may have to look some to see both brown youngsters in the nest. We are still not sure what happened to the eaglet, but continue to work to find out. She will have xrays Monday or Tuesday.



( Photo: Bald Eagle foster dad with the two eaglets. We don't get close to do photos so the quality is always grainy. The male was right in the nest with the kids once it got nigh time. I wish with everything in me that I could share this kind of behavior with the world! It is beautiful.)



More good news in a HUGE way from friend Barry Wallace. Barry is a consummate Trumpeter Swan watcher/protector/helper/health observer. I cannot say enough good about the many years that Barry has spent with the huge Trumpeter Swans near Hudson, Wi where many winter, nor the valuable work he does with this endangered species.

Last winter we were swimming in cases of lead poisoning in Trumpeter Swans. It was a miserable winter with long days and nights spent caring for these magnificent creatures. Lead poisoning is a horrible problem and with the high blood levels we were seeing in the winter swans nearly always fatal.

( Photo: Barry Wallace with Trumpeter Swan #87Y just prior to his March, 2009 release back into the wild after having been treated for and recovered from lead poisoning.)



( Photo: Pat Manthey DNR/BER Avian Ecologist Adjusting the neck collar on 87Y prior to his release in March while Barry holds him one last time.)

Making a very long and agonizing story short...One of the swans that came in to us was a 14 yr old male Trumpeter Swan that Barry has known from a neck collar since he was a youngster. If you can imagine for 14 years this man watched this elegant swan and his family as they wintered on the St Croix River. Last winter the male became very ill with lead poisoning. Barry caught him up and the bird came here for help. His neck collar number is 87Y. That number becomes a "name" for us while there are with us. 87Y had a rough time in rehab. He nearly died several times and finally recovered after months of treatment. There was a celebration when he was released back on the St Croix where he was found. His mate had just left back for her home territory




( Photo: I hold 87Y while Don says his goodbyes just minutes before his release. and a photo taken just after his release with the other wintering swans on the St Croix River which was still frozen in March.)


We heard little from the bird. Barry had an occasional update, but it was on a no-news-is-good-news status.

Yesterday I got an email from Barry. He found 87Y with a new uncollared adult female and they were looking pretty happy. That is GREAT news. We are not sure what happened to his former mate. She may no longer be alive. Swans mate for life or until some situation separates them. We are not sure what happened in this case.

We hope 87Y is deliriously happy with his new mate and has an uneventful fall and winter this year.

This swan episode and the other swan lead poisonings are documented in the blog in March and April if you would like to read them.

More good news is our Red-breasted Nuthatches are ready for release. They will be released tomorrow if the weather holds. The Black-capped Chickadees are also nearing release ready as is the Chipping Sparrow.


Many of the American Robins are also ready for release. We were waiting for warmer weather before opening the doors on the aviary and will do that next week after the Fourth of July celebration. Fourth of July and all the firecrackers and fireworks is not as exciting if you are a bird in a tree and terrified of the sound, the reverberation and the light show.

The good news continues as "Slick" the Amercian Robin chick that spent some time in a pail of oil or oil fluid of some kind is doing really well. When he came in he looked like well... SLICK, but these days he is looking pretty much like a normal baby robin. He eats more than most and that may be a reflection of his desire to get on with life.:)

(Photo: "SLICK" the baby American Robin that took a dip in a pail of oil is looking good these days. Many thanks to Lynn Ott who quickly washed him off when he arrived at her house for transport.)

( (Photo: Aprill trying to feed the Northern Flicker chick that was hit by a car but is recovering very well.)
The little Northern Flicker that was hit by a car is doing very well also. Flickers are such interesting youngsters. They are some of the "coolest" of the woodpecker babies and chat all of the time. They insist on hanging from you while you are feeding even when you wish they would not. Most years we have several nests of Northern Flickers by this time of the year. That occurs when trees are cut without people knowing tree contains a nest of the active woodpecker.

( Photo: The Barred Owl that was hit by a car several days ago is in an outdoor flight and doing well. The second photo was taken of the same owl on June 24, 2009. She has done well and come a long way. )

The Barred Owl that came in June 23rd having been hit by a car and looked like she was about to give up on this world is in an outdoor flight and looks great. She still has a bit of a headache and will need to exercise to regain her muscle strength, but she looks great and her vision and hearing are perfect. So many times when owls are hit by cars they lose vision or hearing and are then not releasable to the wild.

I will finish up the Bad and the Ugly portions of the blog in a few days. Then a warning, don't read it if you feeling delicate. ::((

Remember wildife when you use fireworks and loud poppers. Have a great and safe holiday everyone.

Marge Gibson 2009

Two More Eagles Admitted/Pond Work

It was a beautiful day today and we took full advantage of it. The pond in our swan compound finally has the ice off. It is a large man-made pond, has a filter and is lined with clay, but I fret unceasingly that the bio load is too heavy for the health of our patients. So, despite assurance from many that the water is fine, we pump the pond out and replace the water at least once a year. I sleep better knowing we have begun the season with the best possible habitat for our swans and other water birds. Besides, me being happy makes life here much better for everyone. :)

We were able to get a look during low water level and saw our turtles made it through the winter as did the frogs and bullheads. The winter was so severe I worried they may not have made it through. (For those of you that are thinking that with plant life and healthy turtles, frogs and fish that is proof positive that it IS just fine, I know that at least on some level. But … So don’t write in. When it comes to the birds I am over compulsive.)

We are beginning to think of changing our name to Eagles R Us. Two more Bald Eagles were admitted on Friday and we have had two more calls today.

One new admit is an immature Bald Eagle from Wood County. He was hit by a truck and has a broken wing and internal injuries. Poor little one is in critical condition. He is about two years old. It is hard to see them so vulnerable.

The photo shows Nicole Swanson, from our education department holding the eagle during the exam and initial stabilization of the wing. We are so lucky to have such versatile people that just jump in where needed and do whatever possible when the birds need care. Nicole actually transported this young eagle from Wood County (2.5 hour drive from REGI) She and Steve happened to have programs for the 4th grade classes in Nekoosa on Friday afternoon. After the programs they met DNR staff that had the eagle waiting for transport. It was a long day for all of us.

Birds come to REGI from some great distances. Our location in relatively remote North Central WI is great for being close to lots of wildlife but no large population centers.

The young Trumpeter Swan with lead poisoning discussed in the blog on Feb… and last blogged about on March 9, 2009, was put out into the swan compound on Friday. She was thrilled to see the other swans and be able to interact with them after her long convalescence. She was so sick with lead poisoning and the resulting starvation we didn’t think she had much of a chance to survive. She did however and while she will need one more round of CA EDTA to treat a residual lead level, she will be going home as soon as this round of treatment is finished. I wish people could see how birds struggle with lead poisoning. It is all so preventable just by making a few changes.

That is all for tonight. Morning comes early and it is sure to be another full day.

Best to all,
Marge

©2009 Marge Gibson

Think Spring! Trumpeter Swan 86C has a mate!

It is a beautiful day in Northern Wisconsin. Gosh it seems like eons since I was able to say that at least in reference to the sky being clear and blue and the weather being over freezing.

Most of our staff spend last week at a national conference for wildlife rehabilitators in the Chicago area. Lunchtime discussion was interesting with lots of news ideas brought back from the conference. Continuing education is so important to all fields including wildlife rehabilitation and education. I always say when you feel you know it all is the day you should retire from this job. As in all areas of medicine, new treatments and medications are developed and we need to stay current so we can provide the best in care for our patients.

We had some wonderful news last night! Trumpeter Swan 86C was seen and photographed on the St Croix River by Barry Wallace.

86C was hatched in 2004 near Rice Lake, WI. A female, she is breeding age. She has a new mate in tow this year. It will be great to watch her and what comes of the union. Her mate is an uncollared swan. He is likely from Wisconsin but she could have met him on migration in Illinois, Missouri or Arkansas. She came in with a broken wing in the fall of 2007 and was released on the St Croix last spring.

It is a happily busy time at REGI this week. We have several releases coming up as we take advantage of the warm weather. More on that soon.

Best to all,

Marge Gibson

Trumpeter Swan 87Y Released, Lead Poisoning Survivor

Hello Everyone, We had a wonderful release celebration with the release of one of the Trumpeter Swans that was admitted in January with an extreamly high lead level. The bird was known as T50 for his collar marker. The collar is a yellow plastic unit placed on the birds neck by the State of Wisconsin Bureau of Endangered Resources in a effort to better follow and keep track of Trumpter Swans in the State of Wisconsin. The bright yellow and black letter and number combination are easy to see even from a distance and keepo the birds whereabouts known to biologists. The collars also identify the birds and the state is able to know very quickly the birds entire history including his parents and other history. T50 is fourteen years old. His story is best told in some of the news articles I will include in this blog entry. When T50 was admitted to REGI we had to remove the collar for health concerns. A new collar was put on by Avian Ecologist Pat Manthey of the State of WI DNR/BER. The bird now has a new number and from time forward will be known as 87Y. I have to admit it will be hard to get used to the new "name". The release took place late last week. Barry Wallace, swan watcher and very important person in this entire episode has sent photos almost daily since the release documenting 87Ys progress. Lead poisoning is a hard problem to overcome. We are very hopeful that the bird will remain an active part of the breeding population of Trumpeter Swans in Wisconsin. I will attach below a link to one of the articles written about the release and the history of the former T50 and now 87Y. Thanks to Barry, Mary, Kathy. Pat and everyone that was involved in this success story. I always tell people it takes many people to create a success in wildlife issues and that could not be more true in this case. We can help wildlife here at REGI but it is often the public that alerts us to a situation and brings them to us and monitors the birds post release. You guys are just the best. http://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/articles/index.cfm?id=33378§ion=homepage

She STANDS and Barred Owl Hit by Car

Good Morning Everyone,

In the wee light of early morning I slipped down into our critical care area. There a wonderful sight awaited me. Our cygnet Trumpeter Swan (#21) was standing! This is a huge milestone for us and the swan of course. This is the youngster than was admitted with lead poisoning last week. When admitted she weighed less than ten pounds or half her normal weight. She was so weak she was unable to stand and most of the time was unable to hold her head up. She was unable to eat on her own. While we are still guardeded about her survival we are now guardedly optimistic! What a little fighter this youngster is! She is eating on her own now! As of Saturday March 6, she weighted 12.5 lbs. We are anxious to weigh her today and see what the scale says. If this little one has her way she will be out of here and back to the wild sooner than we ever dreamed just a short week ago. Lead poisoning is a very difficult toxin and does terrible things to the organs including the birds heart, kidneys and liver. She will have many hurdles to overcome in the future but the first step is to stay alive long enough for the lead chelation medication (Ca EDTA) to take affect and to be able to digest food. That first step has been taken and we are on to the next. This little lady has a strong constitution and we will do our very best to make sure she can go home again.

The Barred Owl on the left was admitted on Saturday March 6, 2009. A family found the bird at the side of a road and brought him to REGI. The owl is an adult male Barred Owl. The species while common to our region is one of our most beautiful owls. Barred Owls are early nesters. It is very possible this adult male has a family or at least a mate sitting on eggs. We hope he can get back to his family soon. Many owls are hit by cars. This happens for a few reasons. First owls use their hearing more than their vision when hunting. If they are hot on the auditory trail of a mouse, which is their most common food, they are so focused they are not aware of cars. Since owls are active at night and our vision is low at that time, people do not see them until it is too late and they are on a collision path. This owl was rescued and was brought to REGI. The gentleman brought his young son along to admit the bird. It is so important to include youngsters in efforts to help animals. We at REGI believe children learn what they live. A parents actions become a part of who they will be in the future. We applaud this family for taking time to notice the bird and get him the help he needed.

Another week has begun.

Marge Gibson

( Photos 1. Cygnet swan #21 standing! , 2. Barred Owl admitted that was hit by a car. 3. Family that rescued the Barred Owl and brought him to REGI for care. )

Another Lead Poisoned Swan Case

March 3, 2009

Hello everyone,

It has been a busy week with lots of interesting cases, cold weather and eventful happenings.

It is hard to believe it is March. The temperature has been less than perfect. We have had several nights of below zero F. temperatures several in the eighteen and twenty below zero F. range with lots of snow. Most of the country is having unusual weather so we are trying not to grumble. Lets just say we will be delighted to see spring!

Lead poisoned Trumpeter Swans continue being admitted. The newest patient Photos) is a cygnet or young swan. She will be a year in late May or June. Just like in the story the UGLY DUCKLING, cygnets are gray and some think not as attractive as their perfectly white parents. It is hard to see a little one so sick. She has lead poisoning.

There was a concentrated effort to capture her during the past several weeks at the wintering area near Hudson. WI. The folks in Hudson and the Crex Meadows swan capture crew are amazing and keep a close watch on the wild swans as they winter in the area. This little lady managed to evade capture until a few days ago. By that time she was so weak that she could no longer move. She came in weighing less than 10 lbs. That is critical starvation mode for this large species. Females swans should weigh 22 lbs and males up to 35lbs. That is comparable to a 120 lb person weighing 55 lbs. The good news that while she remains very sick she has gained 2 lbs in the past few days. She is being tube fed a mixture rich in nutrients and calories. She is injections for lead poisoning and medication for aspergillosis. Aspergillosis is a fungal condition that takes advantage of a bird with a compromised immune system. Aspergillosis is often fatal so we are being very careful with her and leaving nothing to chance. She is also on a heating pad to maintain her body temperature. Lead poisoning causes a host of problems including neurological issues and every organ of the body. These cases are so fragile and labor intensive but the success of released back to the wild is wonderful. It makes it all worthwhile for us and for the swan population.

PHOTOS left tube feeding cygnet swan when admitted. Photo left above cygnet on first day and right last night. Notice how much more alert she is after a few days of treatment for lead poisoning and tender loving care. Also notice that she is wearing a Green Bay Packer sheet on her shoulders. ::) We are often given old sheets or towels to use with the birds. I wish the youngster that owned that sheet could see it now! Heck I wish the Green Bay Packers could see her too! Their fan base has grown to include endangered species! How great it THAT?

Best to all,

Marge

Front page of the Milwaukee Journal. Lead Issues.

Lead used in hunting, fishing raises health concerns
By Lee Bergquist of the Journal Sentinel

Lead shot from firearms and lead sinkers have been a mainstay of hunting and fishing for generations, but a growing body of research and anecdotal accounts are raising health questions for humans and wildlife alike.
The most recent situation involves trumpeter swans in northern Wisconsin.
Since October, 10 trumpeter swans have been treated by the Raptor Education Group Inc. in Antigo. In a typical year, the center takes in only about two of the birds.
Three of the trumpeter swans have died and three are in critical condition. X-rays revealed all had metal shot or sinkers in their bodies. Blood tests showed elevated levels of lead.
Also, a report released in November shows lead residue from gunshots has been found in Wisconsin venison, after concerns were raised in other Upper Midwestern states.
In Wisconsin, 15% of 199 samples of commercially processed venison contained lead bullet fragments, according to the report by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Department of Health Services.
In hunter-processed venison, 8% of 98 samples contained lead fragments.
The study used modeling from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and suggests there may be a risk of elevated lead levels in blood among children who consume venison.
One of the worst-case scenarios involves children 7 and younger who eat two meals a month of venison that contains higher amounts of lead. The children may have a 90% chance of lead levels in their blood rising above tolerable limits set by the Food and Drug Administration.
The two state agencies concluded that lead in venison was an "indeterminate public health hazard," as elevated blood-lead levels hadn't been confirmed in consumers of deer meat.
The agencies are recommending that food pantries use meat processors that minimize bullet fragments in venison.
As for what to do about lead shot, the Department of Health Services - but not the DNR - recommends the "eventual transition to non-lead ammunition."
1970s bans faltered
Efforts to phase out lead shot began in the 1970s. It has been banned nationally for waterfowl hunting since 1991 and on federal wetlands and grasslands where waterfowl are raised.
Lead can damage the brain, nervous and reproductive systems. It is no longer used in gasoline, paint, pesticides or as solder in metal cans.
The lead-shot ban has helped reduce poisoning of ducks and geese, but federal authorities still estimate millions of pounds of lead from hunting and fishing are deposited on land and in the water each year.
Starting last fall, the DNR began requiring mourning dove hunters to use non-lead shot because of the birds' proclivity to feed near wetlands where other wildlife could ingest shot.
DNR Secretary Matt Frank pulled together an existing working group on lead contamination in July and asked members to gather the latest data and take a closer look at the issue, spokesman Adam Collins said.
The agency also provides information for deer hunters on reducing exposure to lead in venison and urges anglers to consider switching to nontoxic metals.
But the DNR has pushed for no other restrictions. Lead is still heavily used for hunting upland birds such as pheasant and grouse, and it is the dominant choice of ammunition in deer hunting.
This troubles bird advocates such as Marge Gibson, executive director of the Raptor Education Group.
In one case, a pair of trumpeter swans were so weak they had to be pulled from the ice last month near Laona in Forest County. The birds died from lead poisoning.
In another case, 69 lead pellets were found in an adult male swan from Solon Springs in Douglas County, Gibson said. It, too, died.
"This is very frustrating," she said. "If people spent one day with us and watched these birds fight and struggle for their lives, things might change."
Many favor restrictions
Many sports enthusiasts have pushed for lead-shot restrictions. In 2007, members of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress voted against an advisory question requiring nontoxic shot for all game birds except turkeys, but there was significant support for the measure. Members voted 1,506 in favor and 1,850 against.
The congress advises the DNR on hunting and fishing issues. On this issue, Kurt Thiede, DNR liaison with the group, said the congress has favored education over regulation.
There is no question lead kills wildlife, said congress member Todd Kapp of Trevor in Kenosha County. But he is not sure whether scientists have proven conclusively that lead in the environment is killing wildlife.
"Was it wadded up fishing gear or lead?" he said. "I just don't want to see a knee-jerk reaction to this."
Cost and performance are other factors for sports enthusiasts. Nontoxic shot costs more. Kapp is also convinced that lead shot has more killing power.
"When lead hits something, it flattens out and transfers into it," he said. Steel is harder, he said, "more bouncy, and the patterns are a little different."
Tom Hauge, director of the DNR's Bureau of Wildlife Management, expressed concern about moving too quickly and antagonizing hunters.
But, he said, "I think the lead bullets in venison reopened the door again. I do believe that over the past couple of years that a lot of things have changed."
"There is much more widespread and compelling bodies of research out there - even in Wisconsin."
In a study presented in May, researchers, led by toxicologist Sean Strom of the DNR, found that lead poisoning was the cause of death in the following cases:
• 16% of 583 Wisconsin bald eagles that died between 2000 and 2007.
• 25% of 143 trumpeter swans between 1991 and 2007.
• 29% of 26 loons beginning in 2006.
The DNR study also found lead fishing tackle in all loons that died of lead poisoning.
It also found the number of lead-related deaths in eagles spiked during the hunting season - especially in November, December and January - when the raptors fed on deer remnants.
"It is unlikely that the prevalence of lead poisoning cases will decrease until the amount of lead discharged into the Wisconsin environment is reduced," Strom and his fellow authors concluded.
Swans foraging more
The most recent troubles with trumpeter swans could be tied to drought conditions in northwest Wisconsin, where many birds spend summers, said Patricia Manthey, DNR avian ecologist. With low water levels, the long-necked birds feed in previously unreachable sediments.
Also, Minnesota officials reported an increase in lead poisoning this winter after Wisconsin and Minnesota officials jointly asked landowners not to feed the birds.
The states feared the feeding was keeping the birds from migrating. By congregating in open water on the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers, they could be exposed to disease and lead contamination.
The plan backfired, said Dennis Simon, chief of wildlife management for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Some of the swans that foraged on their own picked up lead, he said.
Since October, half of the 32 trumpeter swans brought to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota in suburban St. Paul were treated for lead toxicity, according to Philip M. Jenni, executive director.
Despite the concerns about lead, eagle and trumpeter swan populations are growing. Eagles were removed from protection under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2007. The Natural Resources Board voted last month to remove the trumpeter swan from the state's endangered and threatened species list.
Posted: Feb. 10, 2009

Increased lead poisoning in swans linked to drought, feed ban

The Wausau Daily Herald ran this story today about REGI.

By Nick Halter • Wausau Daily Herald • January 13, 2009

Trumpeter swans with lead pellets and fishing tackle in their digestive systems are showing up in record numbers at an avian rehabilitation center in Antigo.

Since Dec. 1, 12 of the endangered birds have been treated at Raptor Education Group Inc., the only place in the state that rehabilitates the birds. The nonprofit organization typically treats three to four trumpeters a year for lead poisoning, said Marge Gibson, executive director.
"No one in the country has seen this amount of lead before," Gibson said, citing swans that have ingested as many as 65 lead pellets. She said her team has been working around the clock to treat the birds, several of which have died because of unprecedented amounts of lead.
The direct cause of the poisoning is shotgun pellets that remain at the bottom of lakes and streams. Lead was banned from waterfowl hunting nationwide in 1988, but the metal never dissolves, said Patricia Manthey, assistant avian ecologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Gibson and Manthey said the increase in lead-poisoned swans is related to recent droughts that have allowed swans to feed in lead-infested waters that were once too deep.
Others think the increase in sick swans is related to a moratorium Minnesota and Wisconsin put on feeding the birds this winter. The measures were put in place because both states were concerned disease could spread in the dense areas where swans had been feeding each winter.
The Minnesota DNR told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that the moratorium forced the swans to fly from their normal feeding spots to other lakes, where they ingested lead pellets.
Officials at an avian rehab center in Minnesota told the Pioneer Press it has treated 30 swans since the fall; it normally treats about two dozen a year.
Both states since have started feeding the swans again.
Manthey said it is too early to assume the feeding moratorium is to blame. Wisconsin swans migrate to Hudson, where the DNR had fed them until this fall. Eight of the birds sent to Gibson were from that area; four were from elsewhere in the state.
Manthey said there could be swan carcasses all over the state that have not been found, because the DNR is not monitoring them like it is in Hudson.
"Those conclusions are being jumped to really fast," Manthey said. "We have to see if there is a clear smoking gun."