Sad
June 27, 2010 8:16 AM Subscribe
A great blue heron landed yesterday in the canal behind my house and is apparently dying.
I surmised this because it's still just sitting at the water's edge since yesterday and barely able to hold its beak out of the water for air. When I approach it barely moves or opens its eyes.
Is there something I can do to make it more comfortable? Such as move it to the shade, wet it's back as it only has its bottom half in water, prop up its head so it can breathe, suffocate it to ease its suffering?
I can't tell that there's anything wrong with it (oil, etc) except that it's pretty clearly expiring.
I surmised this because it's still just sitting at the water's edge since yesterday and barely able to hold its beak out of the water for air. When I approach it barely moves or opens its eyes.
Is there something I can do to make it more comfortable? Such as move it to the shade, wet it's back as it only has its bottom half in water, prop up its head so it can breathe, suffocate it to ease its suffering?
I can't tell that there's anything wrong with it (oil, etc) except that it's pretty clearly expiring.
Your local wildlife rescue organization might be able to send someone out to take a look, or to advise you as to whether it's worth collecting the bird and bringing it in for treatment. Otherwise, your best bet is probably going to be to leave it alone. A bird that big won't be easy to kill without the use of firearms or electricity, and a strange human messing around with it/moving it/moistening its back is only likely to stress it and make its dying moments more difficult.
posted by Bardolph at 8:22 AM on June 27, 2010
posted by Bardolph at 8:22 AM on June 27, 2010
There are a variety of things you could try, like moving it to the shade, but the fact of the matter is that everything dies sooner or later. Considering that it's a heron you'll want to be careful that it doesn't hurt you if you try anything. If I were in your shoes there are a few things I might try:
1. splash some water on him. Not to be mean, but to see if you could shock him into action.
2. set up some sort of shade to cover him. I don't suggest trying to move him, I doubt it would work.
3. call your local wildlife rehabilitation center and explain this to them. They will have a better idea of what to do/expect than most people.
I don't think you should smother him though. Life is life, and in the grand scheme of things, a wild animal that has the ability to die slowly, a natural death, is actually pretty lucky.
posted by wild like kudzu at 8:22 AM on June 27, 2010
1. splash some water on him. Not to be mean, but to see if you could shock him into action.
2. set up some sort of shade to cover him. I don't suggest trying to move him, I doubt it would work.
3. call your local wildlife rehabilitation center and explain this to them. They will have a better idea of what to do/expect than most people.
I don't think you should smother him though. Life is life, and in the grand scheme of things, a wild animal that has the ability to die slowly, a natural death, is actually pretty lucky.
posted by wild like kudzu at 8:22 AM on June 27, 2010
You might contact your local game/wildlife commission. Based on your profile, this is the info I found for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:
To report an injured or orphaned wild animal, contact any of the FWC's 5 regional offices for a list of wildlife rehabilitators, or consult one of the rehabilitators on this list.
The Game Commission here has always been prompt and helpful dealing with our local growing peregrine population when in need. Good luck!
posted by miratime at 8:27 AM on June 27, 2010
To report an injured or orphaned wild animal, contact any of the FWC's 5 regional offices for a list of wildlife rehabilitators, or consult one of the rehabilitators on this list.
The Game Commission here has always been prompt and helpful dealing with our local growing peregrine population when in need. Good luck!
posted by miratime at 8:27 AM on June 27, 2010
The FWC is a good idea, but if you can't get anyone on the phone on a Sunday the Florida Wildlife Care Center in Gainesville has a 24-hr helpline at (352) 371-4400. I'd give them a call and see what they recommend or if there is someone else they'll refer you to. Good luck!
posted by radiomayonnaise at 8:34 AM on June 27, 2010
posted by radiomayonnaise at 8:34 AM on June 27, 2010
Gainesville's Wildlife Care Center has a 24 hour help line. Please call. 352-371-4400
posted by elsietheeel at 8:35 AM on June 27, 2010
posted by elsietheeel at 8:35 AM on June 27, 2010
Response by poster: Wildlife conservation society is on it's way! Thanks all, I didn't realize anybody would actually care.
posted by sarelicar at 8:40 AM on June 27, 2010
posted by sarelicar at 8:40 AM on June 27, 2010
Wildlife conservation society is on it's way! Thanks all, I didn't realize anybody would actually care.
You did and we did...so it would make sense that someone else would.
If there's one thing I've learned from painter Bob Ross (RIP) is that there are a lot of bird rescuers across the country.
Glad help is on the way.
posted by inturnaround at 8:42 AM on June 27, 2010
You did and we did...so it would make sense that someone else would.
If there's one thing I've learned from painter Bob Ross (RIP) is that there are a lot of bird rescuers across the country.
Glad help is on the way.
posted by inturnaround at 8:42 AM on June 27, 2010
Response by poster: They just came and removed it. The gentleman said he thinks it's botulism FYI. Didn't look good, poor thing couldn't even pick its head up :(
posted by sarelicar at 9:18 AM on June 27, 2010
posted by sarelicar at 9:18 AM on June 27, 2010
The Migratory Bird Act forbids unathorized persons from touching anything to do with migratory species. It is illegal to even collect a dead body or sloughed-off feathers. Before you help the animal make sure you get authorization from a game official, museum personal, or zoo. This shouldn't be to hard. I've collected dead birds for my local museum without incident.
posted by Hilbert at 9:26 AM on June 27, 2010
posted by Hilbert at 9:26 AM on June 27, 2010
Thank you for getting someone who could end the bird's suffering, so sad. :(
posted by Wuggie Norple at 10:49 AM on June 27, 2010
posted by Wuggie Norple at 10:49 AM on June 27, 2010
And thank you for letting us know. I hope they eased its suffering.
posted by lemniskate at 11:18 AM on June 27, 2010
posted by lemniskate at 11:18 AM on June 27, 2010
Be careful. I know a veterinarian who lost an eye from a heron he thought was dead or incapacitated.
posted by glibhamdreck at 12:48 PM on June 27, 2010
posted by glibhamdreck at 12:48 PM on June 27, 2010
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posted by fake at 8:19 AM on June 27, 2010