Millenium

Following is an email from the World Bird Sanctuary’s Volunteer Coordinator, Melissa Moore.

Millenium 

“It is with a sad heart that I need to tell you of the passing of one of our educational birds.  Early this morning, 8/1,  Millennium, the Peregrine Falcon, left this world.  Some of you may be aware that she had been ill for the past week or so, and had been receiving treatment from our excellent vets and medical staff.  However, they were unable to see her through this illness; we are awaiting results of tests to find out more about the cause, as previous tests were inconclusive.” 

“I only knew Millennium a brief time, but I know that she was much loved by many people.  As an ambassador bird, she represented her species and the World Bird Sanctuary at many events including parades and programs too numerous to mention.  As a Peregrine, she represented the success of the Endangered Species Program and the drawing together of people to fight environmental contaminants.  To those of us who knew her personally, she represented a gentle and beautiful member of our bird team.  We will be sad without her, but will continue our work for birds and the environment with her memory close by.”

Hatched in the spring of 2008, Millenium was a beautiful young Peregrine Falcon who was with us because it was discovered by her falconer/breeder that she was partially blind at hatch.  Rather than having her euthanized because she could not hunt they contacted the World Bird Sanctuary to see if we could use her as an education bird. 

Millenium quickly settled into life at the World Bird Sanctuary’s Office of Wildlife Learning and became a favorite of everyone who met her.  Over the course of her life she educated thousands of audience members about the plight and remarkable comeback of her species.

She will be sorely missed by all.

Gomer

It is with a sad heart that we must let our readers know that Gomer, the Military Macaw passed away yesterday. 

Gomer was 38 years old.  He came from Busch Gardens, Florida and for many years was used as a display and photo op bird at various programs WBS presents at zoos around the nation.  He was trained to say “hello” and “cracker”, could wave, and loved to give kisses on cue.  He could also pose with his wings up in the air in an “eagle” posture.  In 2006 he was trained to drop a plastic bottle into a recycle bin as part of his performance in World Bird Sanctuary education programs.

In recent years Gomer began to display a rather strange feather coloration for his species.  Even though this strange color was exhaustively investigated by our vets on many occasions, no answers were ever found.  For a time it was thought that his odd feather coloration might have to do with a sensitivity to his food, and his diet was changed—but to no avail. 

Recently he had been retired from performing and had been living in our Nature Center, greeting guests as they arrived. 

It was found that Gomer passed away because of liver and heart failure.  Gomer will be sorely missed by one and all.

Submitted by Gay Schroer, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer

Twig

It is with a heavy heart that my sad duty today is to tell you that Twig, our grey phase Eastern Screech Owl, has passed away due to the infirmities of old age

Twig was one of the World Bird Sanctuary’s elder statesmen, having come to us as a young orphaned chick in 1993.  He was unreleasable because he had no fear of humans, so he became a vital part of our organization—first at WBS’s educational bird shows presented at zoos, and then as a member of our Education Department.

Twig was definitely the “Aaawww!” factor in our education programs.  Many of the other birds in our programs were bigger, could amaze the audience with their flying abilities, or were more colorful—but invariably, Twig’s appearance would be the show stopper while presenters waited for the chorus of “Aaawww’s” and ”….isn’t he cute!” comments to die down. 

Twig was definitely the "Aaaww!" factor in any program (photo by Gay Schroer)

In his almost twenty-one year career here at the World Bird Sanctuary, Twig helped to educate literally millions of audience members about the environment, his species, and owls in general. Twig was the first bird of prey that many new interns and volunteers had on their glove—a lifetime memory for many.  In the wild, Screech Owls are lucky to live to 5 years old, so making it to virtually 21 is an accomplishment to all who cared for him over so many years.

Because advancing old age had taken a toll on him, Twig was retired several years ago. He has spent his latter years on public display in our Office of Wildlife Learning Nature Center, where he enjoyed living quarters that were heated in the winter and cooled in the summer, and where he was admired by visitors and catered to by staff, interns and volunteers.

Twig will be sorely missed.

Submitted by Gay Schroer, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer

Acorn

Sadly, I must inform the followers of our blog that Acorn, our beloved eighteen-year-old red phase Eastern Screech Owl, passed away suddenly last week.

In the morning his caretakers noticed that he couldn’t stand and was breathing heavily.  After a few minutes he seemed to recover, but could not use his right leg very well.  He was immediately taken to our vet who found a large mass in his abdomen.  He had hardly any use of his right leg and had gone blind in one eye—we suspect from a blood clot.  As we considered the possibility of treatment he became so weak he could no longer stand.  In taking into consideration his quality of life we made the difficult decision to euthanize him.  Because of the “TLC” we gave him during his life, Acorn lived 6 times longer than a wild Screech Owl’s life span, which is about 3 years.

Acorn was one of our most popular birds—never failing to elicit a chorus of “Aaaaws!” when he would come onstage.  In addition to educating our audiences, he has helped to “train” hundreds of new staff, interns and volunteers, as he was one of the first birds these newbies would learn to handle.  His passing will leave a void in many lives here at WBS.

Acorn has educated millions of audience members in his eighteen year career with WBS and will be sorely missed by staff, volunteers and the thousands of visitors and audience members who looked forward to seeing him each year.

Submitted by Gay Schroer, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer

Lightning....Creature of Speed and Agility

My heart is sad tonight.  This lovely creature of speed and agility passed away November 20.

Photo published by permission of Sandra Lowe

Lightning, an extraordinary Peregrine Falcon, slipped quietly and peacefully away from us on 11/20, having lived a full 22 years.  A Peregrine Falcon's natural life span is only about 12-15 years in the wild, so we were honored to have this lovely gent with us for so long.

A veteran of the United Stated Air Force B.A.S.H. program, he came to live with us when it was time for him to retire.  His duty then became to delight and educate thousands of people in programs or as they visited him at World Bird Sanctuary.  Delight and educate he did.

On this Thanksgiving Day we are thankful to have been honored by this beautiful creature's presence for all these years. Rest in Peace sweet birdy.  We will miss you.

Photo and story submitted by Sandra Lowe, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer

Charlie

It is with a sad heart that we must tell you that Charlie, our sweet little Thick-billed Parrot, passed away on March 10. The reason Charlie died is unknown, but our vets are working hard to figure it out.

Charlie was rescued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from a facility where he and three other Thick-Billed Parrots were being held in captivity by individuals dealing in the illegal importation and sale of exotic animals.  They were given for safekeeping to the KAYTEE Products, Inc. company of Chilton, WI, a leading manufacturer of wild and pet bird foods who were deeply involved in bird preservation and habitat conservation.

In October of 1997 Kaytee decided that The World Bird Sanctuary with their free flying flock of Thick-billed Parrots, and our emphasis on education, would be a better venue for these four representatives of this severely endangered species.  So, Charlie and his three friends, Sierra, Sonnora and Guapo were transferred into our care.

Since then Charlie has spent his days visiting schools and other large groups, and spreading the word about his species and the dangers they face from habitat destruction and poaching.  Charlie was a wonderful ambassador for his species.  After all, who could ignore this cute little fellow when he would wave at them and give one of his endearing little head bobs?  He seemed to be certain that if he was cute enough he would earn a peanut--one of his favorite treats.

Charlie will be sorely missed by staff and volunteers alike, as well as the many guests who made it a special point to visit him just to see if they could get him to wave.

Submitted by Gay Schroer, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer 

Gumbo

It is with a sad heart that we tell our readers that Gumbo, the Brown Pelican, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last week.

There was no indication at feeding time that morning of any problem, but a few hours later he was observed acting strangely by one of our volunteers,,who immediately alerted a staff member.  By the time the staff member reached Gumbo’s enclosure he had expired.

Gumbo’s actual age was unknown.  He came to World Bird Sanctuary during the Gulf of Mexico oil spill of 2010.  He was originally treated for a left wing injury at Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Florida in December of 2008.  Gumbo was not releasable, and so was kept on permanent exhibit with fellow Brown Pelican, Cocoa--an exhibit that was the perfect size for two permanently captive Brown Pelicans

The experienced wildlife rehabilitators at Suncoast knew that Gumbo’s and Cocoa’s enclosure could house up to 40 injured oiled seabirds on a short-term basis, if needed.  The large number of birds admitted to Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary during the 2010 oil spill stretched their capacity to the llimit.  Suncoast asked World Bird Sanctuary to provide a home to Gumbo and Cocoa so that their enclosure could be used for the short-term housing of the many injured seabirds admitted to Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary during and after the oil spill.

Gumbo will be missed, as he and his companion Cocoa were a welcome addition to our display line—allowing visitors to see the differences between the Brown Pelican and their neighbors on the display line, the American White Pelican.

Submitted by Gay Schroer, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer

Farewell Tobin

Members of the World Bird Sanctuary staff were saddened last week by the sudden loss of our nine-year-old European Barn Owl, Tobin.

  

Upon noticing that he was acting “not quite right” one evening we started him on a course of  preventative antibiotics until we could get him to the vet in the morning.  However, by the next morning it was obvious that he was in severe distress and before we could get him to the vet he passed on. 

Animals in the wild have perfected the ability to mask symptoms of illness to protect themselves from becoming prey for the many predators who are very adept at picking off the sick and injured.  This “masking” ability sometimes makes it extremely difficult to spot problems in captive animals (even dogs and cats), until it is too late, even for our sharp-eyed and ever vigilant naturalists.

Results of a necropsy indicated that Tobin succumbed to heart failure—probably due to his age.  At the age of nine he had long outlived his wild brethrens’ normal lifespan of 3-4 years. 

Tobin, wowing a group of school children at one of our Raptor Awareness programs

Tobin was one of our most popular Barn Owls, performing for thousands of children and adults each year in our outreach programs.  He was definitely one of the stars of our Raptor Awareness program and a favorite of staff and visitors.  He will be sorely missed.

Submitted by Gay Schroer, Volunteer/Photographer

DUMPLING

On Thursday, December 15, our beloved Bantam Cochin Chicken, Dumpling, passed away due to the natural processes of old age.  Dumpling was approaching 17 years.

Most chickens have an average lifespan of 6-10 years—occasionally living into their teens if they are well fed and well cared for.  Dumpling certainly had those advantages as an official greeter and goodwill ambassador for the World Bird Sanctuary.

Dumpling was one of our most beloved residents.  For many years she was a fixture in our Visitor Information Center (VIC).  Most of the time she freely roamed the VIC, greeting and entertaining guests as they entered.   In particular, she was extremely patient with our small visitors—allowing them to stroke her soft feathers, and in many cases experience their first contact with a live bird. 

Dumpling became so popular that she had her own following among our guests—many of whom made the VIC their first stop at the World Bird Sanctuary specifically to see her.

In recent months it had become increasingly obvious that old age was catching up with Dumpling.  She was not able to move as quickly as in the past and her eyesight was failing her.  This put her at risk for accidental collisions with guests while roaming through the VIC.  Therefore, in May of 2011 she was retired to safer quarters in our “behind the scenes” area. 

Dumpling will be sorely missed by staff and visitors alike.  

Submitted by Gay Schroer, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer