Beauty in the Release

In the field of wildlife rehabilitation, releases come in several forms.  Of course, the releases we most enjoy telling stories of, are those of the patients that overcome incredible injuries and hardships to return to freedom.  However, in wildlife rehabilitation centers across the country, the reality is that these kinds of releases amount for about half of the overall admissions.

Then, there are the other cases of patients for whom we must define release in a different form.  Some of these animals are ones that we try our hardest to help over days or weeks at our hospital and they simply have no more strength to keep pulling.  With others, we know right away that their injuries will prevent them from ever living a normal life in the wild again.  For all of those we cannot save, their release is in a peaceful passing in a place free from predators and human dangers.  Although it matters not for the animal, we take solace that for however short a time, there were people who cared deeply about its life. These sad cases remain as engrained in our memory as every release to the wild.

This week, more so than other weeks this winter, we have experienced the highs and lows of the jobs we love.  An Eared Grebe, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull and Eastern Cottontail, all beyond help marked the sad points of our week.  While incredible releases of a Red-throated Loon, American Woodcock and our first successfully rehabilitated emaciated Great Blue Heron in several years, have left us feeling as privileged as ever to work with these incredible animals on a daily basis.

Please enjoy the photographs and video below of a week we will remember. 

Red-throated Loon prior to his release last Friday.

This loon endured head trauma, a respiratory infection and emaciation to return to the wild.

There were days when we thought he wouldn't pull through.

He had other plans. 

Back in the water after several weeks in rehabilitation

 

An Eared Grebe was admitted Saturday from Makamah Beach

in Northport with severe head trauma.

Unfortunately, he did not pull through his first night.

(photos of exam by Anthony Donofrio)

Volunteers for Wildlife would like to thank our friends at the Bayville IGA

for this incredibly generous donation of produce!!

On Wednesday, we released the emaciated Great Blue Heron from Oyster Bay. 

It was by far the best bird release we have ever seen.

Martin, our senior resident education opossum, went for a walk Thursday afternoon. 

In recent weeks, Martin has been showing his age. 

 He really enjoyed exploring outside again. 

Volunteer Elisa walks Millie (another resident opossum.)

  Unlike her slower brother, Millie still needs a leash.

This old girl is a busy bee. 

We admitted a male Bufflehead Thursday morning from Glen Cove.

 We'll update on him next week when we have a better idea of his condition.

Have a great weekend!