Saving a Glossy Ibis
Saving a Glossy Ibis
Written by Tuesday, 14 September 2010 00:00
Translated from Greek by the Webmaster.
It was noon-time on the 20/4/2010. We were at the wetland of Strophylia - Kotychi heading towards the Prokopos lagoon when we noticed something unusual: a glossy ibis was standing on the balcony of a nearby house. Initially we did not think much of it. We started approaching the bird slowly hoping to get as near as possible for some close up shots. We soon noticed not only that the Ibis was not reacting to our presence but, further, that it had assumed a 'sleeping' position in the middle of the day. It was evident something was wrong with the bird so we decided to capture it and take it to a vet for a check up. If the bird was healthy we would bring it back and release it in a nearby area where it would join a colony of Ibises already residing there.
The Ibis did not react when we captured it. We placed it in cardboard box to ensure it remained calm (birds calm down and sleep when there is no light around). We made a number of small holes around the box to make sure fresh air would circulate inside it where the bird was. Once the Ibis was safe in its box we immediately called the Hellenic Wildlife Hospital (EKPAZ) for advice. Following a short discussion including a description of the condition of the bird we agreed to nurse it at home until it was strong enough to travel to the Hospital. The care of a bird in this and similar cases includes the following:
1. Assessment of the condition of the bird by visual examination. Look for injuries (bleeding), check the wings and the sternum to establish if any of the bones are broken (this involves running your fingers lightly along the bones). It should be noted that if the bone of the sternum protrudes noticeably the bird is dehydrated and malnourished. If the bird is bleeding profusely, the bleeding does not stop or we suspect it has been poisoned we must take it immediately to a vet.
2. If the bird is well enough to be treated at home (i.e. it does not require specialist care) we start by giving it sugar water to drink. This can be done using a syringe (without the needle), with which we drip the sugar water into the bird's nostrils while keeping its head tilted upwards. Alternatively we attach to the part that the needle should be attached a short flexible pipe, for instance a piece of a soft airline. We then open the bill gently, place the syringe above the tongue as deep as we can inside the bill (near the throat of the bird) and slowly discharge the water down the throat of the bird. This is quite safe for the bird as the airway is under its tongue so it will not drown. It is important to ensure we do not hurt the bird by pushing or forcing the syringe too deep in its throat. Keep the syringe away from the fleshy parts of the mouth and throat to avoid wounding it.
3. Construction of a living space: The living space of the bird can be a cardboard box of appropriate size to allow the bird room to move and stand comfortably. Note that the bird must have access to water at all times so the box must be big enough to allow us to place a suitable container with water in one of the corners. Pierce small holes to the sides of the box to ensure appropriate aeration of the bird's living quarters. The box must be closed securely from above to ensure the convalescing bird does not escape. At the bottom of the box we can put shreded paper or straw, which must be changed when soiled.
If the bird is very weak it is imperative it is kept warm, especially at night time. This can be achieved by placing a 40w lamp at a distance of about 20cm from the bird's head (the distance is counted from the head when the bird is istanding). Placing the lamp closer to the bird than the distance indicated may result in an accident if the bird touches the lamp. All movable objects inside, or attached to, the bird's quarters should be well secured; if / when the bird feels better it will try to escape and in the process it may move or drop objects which could result in a serious accident. The box with the bird should be kept indoors.
4. The bird should be weighted daily, prior to being fed, on precision scales. The first time the bird is weighted is particularly important (again, we weight the bird prior to feeding it for the first time) as the weight of the bird is indicative of its condition. The amount of weight the bird is putting on while in our care (indicated by subsequent weightings) will enable us to assess its recovery.
5. Feeding: The bird should be fed small amounts (we gave the Iibis 20ml of food at mealtimes) at regular intervals (every two hours). The type of food offered varies for different birds; if unsure ask a vet or your local wildlife centre. For birds such as the glossy ibis which in the wild pray on invertebrates and fish the most appropriate food is complete dried food for kittens, which is rich in protein. Grind the pellets to powder and dissolve the powder in water to make a slightly runny pulp. Take a syringe (again, without the needle) and attach to the part that the needle should be attached a short flexible pipe, for instance a piece of a soft airline. Open the bill of the bird gently, place the syringe deep into its throat and discharge the pulp slowly by pushing the plunger forward. (1) The first few times it is advisable to give the bird a smaller quantity than the recommended one for the species until it is evident that its digestive system works. If the droppings of the bird are white its digestive system is not functioning. Darker parts in the droppings indicate that the bird's diggestive system is functioning properly. Note that the normalization of the digestive function may take some time (approximately 5-6 feedings) if the bird is too weak.
6. Using the same technique we can offer the bird water between meals until it starts drinking on its own. We can use fresh water or add electrolytes (almora). After a few days the bird should be getting stronger and in a fit state to be sent or transported to the closest wildlife hospital. The transport box or container should be well aerated and securely closed.
The Glossy Ibis we rescued had been shot and as a result it sustained a serious injury of the optical nerve. Being able to just about see shadows only it managed to land on the balcony of the house where we found it. The bird had been there for several days; as a result it was extremely weak. It did not try to avoid being captured and later on, while in our care, it did not try to escape. This was perhaps due to the fact that it could not see.
The Ibis won our hearts; we named it Goliath. In the short time it was with us we tried not to get it used to our presence around it. This was quite difficult as we really loved it. Yet it is imperative not to familiarise wild animals with man. Such familiarisation could be quite dangerous for the animal after its release back to nature. For instance, the animal may approach people thinking they are friendly (when in fact they are not) or may become dependent on them for food thus essentially becoming a pet or risking to die of starvation.
When Goliath was strong enough to travel we took him to EKPAZ. Naturally those MCH members who were available escorted the Ibis to the Hospital on the day. We were really sad when we said goodbye to Goliath and later on we got upset when we were informed that the bird would not recover from its injury; it has lost its eyesight forever. Goliath is a young bird, which, with the exception of its eyesight, is strong and healthy. Unfortunately it cannot be released back to nature as it will not survive, being blind. Our Ibis will be deprived of the joys of living free, the companionship of a colony of conspecifics, the migration trips, fishing in the lakes and mating. In short, Goliath will be deprived of everything Nature has meant Ibises to seek and enjoy. Why? Because an unscrupulous and illegal hunter, hunting in an area protected by the Ramsar convention, saw Goliath's flock in the sky and fired a shot for fun (the Glossy Ibis is not considered edible in Greece). Yet Goliath is not a victim of the hunter alone. It is also a victim of an irresponsible, slow, inefficient and ineffective bureaucracy that is incapable of enforcing the convention in Greece and thus cannot protect the wildlife which it is meant and expected to do. So the hunting outrage continues strong in an environment of great importance both for endemic and for migratory species. So Goliath, a Glossy Ibis currently listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species was shot and cannot mate to ensure his species does not join the evergrowing list of extinct species. (1)
Goliath will spend the rest of his life in his enclosure at EKPAZ thanks to the love and care of the staff and management there. If another Glossy Ibis of the opposite sex will be handed in during mating season to be nursed back to health Goliath maybe able to mate.
For more information, assistance or to report a wild animal that needs care in Greece, please contact EKPAZ in Aegina (tel: 30 22 970 31 338, fax: 30 22 970 28 214, mobile: 30 6973318845) or Thessaloniki (tel: 30 6979 9148 52). For information, assistance or to report a wild animal that needs care in your own country please contact a vet, the nearest wild animal sanctuary, or your national organisation for the protection of wildlife.
Photos by the authors.
Webmaster's Notes:
(1) For step by step photos and instructions on how to force feed a bird see Forcefeeding Fish. The technique is the same.
(2) Wikipedia. The Glossy Ibis is also protected by the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA). (op. cit.)
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|