Intern Blogs

Keeping Your Dog and Our Wildlife Safe!

Written by: Meredith Molinari, Wildlife Intern

With the weather in Miami finally cooling down a bit, it’s a great time to enjoy some outdoor fun with your furry family member. Picture this. You and your pup are having fun playing fetch in the park when suddenly, they spot something more interesting than that tennis ball. They dart away from you, and before you can yell stop, they have a small feathery or furry creature in their mouth. Oh-no! 

In my time as an intern with Pelican Harbor Seabird Station, I have seen numerous opossums and birds come in with wounds resulting from a dog attack. It is not the dog’s fault. Although they are domesticated animals, they still have wild instincts. As we are lucky enough to be surrounded by amazing wildlife here in South Florida, it is our job as dog owners to keep both our pets and our native wildlife safe. 

As the owner of three dogs, I know how necessary it is for dogs to get outside and run off some energy. It is important for both their physical and mental health. Since not everyone has access to a fenced-in backyard, local parks are a great option. 

Here are some easy safety tips to follow when taking your dog to the park: 

  1. Always check park regulations. Many county parks in Miami-Dade do not allow dogs. While this might be annoying to dog owners. It is often for the benefit of the surrounding wildlife. Dogs can easily disturb ground nesting sites. The presence of dogs can cause serious anxiety in prey animals and disrupt their breeding and migratory behavior. 

  2. If dogs are allowed in the park, follow posted leash laws. Always keep your dog on-leash. No matter how good you believe your dog’s recall is, instinctive behavior is hard to break when their prey drive is heightened.  A leash of no more than 6 feet in length is best. This gives the dog space to walk while keeping them close enough, should you need to remove them from an area quickly. Carry high-reward treats in your pocket or bag while leash-walking in the park. This way you can redirect your dog’s attention if they focus on a smaller prey animal. 

  3. The best park option is a dog-friendly park or off-leash “Bark Park.” These parks are specifically designed with dogs in mind. They are placed in park locations away from wild areas limiting interaction with the native species. You can find links to dog-friendly parks at the end of this post. 

What about at home? Wildlife often appears in our own backyard. These tips ensure your dog, and our native wildlife can peacefully coexist. 

  1. Never leave food outside unattended. Especially overnight. Until I began interning at Pelican Harbor, I had no idea what a tasty treat pet food is to opossums. They absolutely love it. By leaving food out during the day for your dog to munch on, you might be unintentionally inviting opossums into your yard after dark. Always dispose of uneaten pet food in trash cans with secure lids.

  2. Think carefully about where to place your birdbath and feeders. I love having a bird feeder in my yard where I can admire the Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, and Northern Cardinals that stop by and visit. Position your bird feeder in an area of the yard that your dog cannot easily reach. Remember, squirrels love bird feeders too, and can be easy prey for dogs. Keep the area below the feeder clean. Do not allow your dog to ingest bird seed or bird droppings that accumulate below the feeder, as they may contain bacteria that will make your dog sick.

  3. Make sure your dog is up to date on all their vaccinations. This is the best preventative step you can take for your dog’s health. 

Even if you follow all these precautions, accidents can happen. If your dog attacks native wildlife, Pelican Harbor Seabird Station is here to help. They have multiple resources on their website for your benefit. Start with their page: “what to do if you found an injured animal”

Play safe outdoors and take your pup to a dog-friendly park or off-leash Bark Park! My favorite is at Tropical Park. It has two separate areas for large and small breed dogs. Hopefully, my energetic goldendoodle and I will see you and your furry bestie there some Saturday morning.

Check out: Dog Friendly parks in Miami-Dade County. 

Photo Descriptions & Sources

Our Valuable Vultures

Written by: Lucy Wiedmar, PHSS Intern

We’ve all seen it - the ominous collection of large birds gliding high in the sky, seemingly flying in circles around a concentrated area. Often thought to signal that death is near, you ask yourself what the unlucky soul had to endure. The soaring birds in the distance, flying in their ritualistic circles, cruising the wind currents, are most likely members of the new world vulture family.

Florida is home to two native species of vultures, the Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) and the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes Aura). Both vulture species are in the taxonomic order Accipitriformes (which includes most diurnal birds of prey), and the family Carthartidae (consisting of five new world vulture species.) These two species can be differentiated by the distinct difference in head coloration, with black vultures having a solid black coloration on the head and bill, whilst the turkey vulture differs in a red/pink coloration of the head and a white-toned bill. While in the air, these two vultures can be identified by the difference in flight patterns observed among the two. The black vulture has a much more compact body with a shorter tail, a whitish patch on the outer primaries, and displays a powerful and sturdy 3-5 wing flap pattern. The turkey vulture on the other hand has a greater white-silver coloration along the lower border of their wingspan and tends to teeter while in flight, displaying significantly fewer wing flaps. 

 

Adult Black Vulture feeding her fledgling.

Adult Turkey Vulture rescued by PHSS volunteers.

 

Although turkey vultures currently outnumber their black vulture relatives in the United States, black vultures have a greatly expansive native range, outnumbering turkey vultures in the western hemisphere. Year round, black vultures can be located across virtually all of the South American continent up to the southern and eastern United States. Over the past few decades, black vultures have crept their way even further northward - as far north as New England. Turkey vultures have a similar native range, found essentially across all of the South American continent, as well as encompassing almost the entirety of the United States.

While these two species of vultures differ in many aspects, they are very similar in one main regard: their choice of prey - which happens to be most prominently the carcasses of the once living. Due to vultures' feeding behavior relying mainly on carrion, they tend to be associated with negative connotations in the media and are often portrayed in a more “sinister” light, often being depicted as unhygienic or a precursor to death. Even Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, once called the birds “disgusting creatures”. Vultures get a bad rep in the Animal Kingdom, and due to the unwarranted stereotypes placed upon them, there are a lot of misconceptions floating around these birds.

However, I am here to defend the honor of our native vultures! Contrary to the stigmatization of vultures bringing along the notion of death with their presence, they actually play a crucial role in the health and stabilization of their ecosystems. Vultures play an incredibly important role by devouring decaying carcasses. By consuming flesh from the recently deceased, vultures are able to reduce and/or eliminate the spread of certain diseases, pathogens, and harmful bacteria that depend on rotting flesh to grow, develop, and spread. Some of the illnesses prevented by vultures' ecological role are anthrax, rabies, and cholera. Additionally, vultures' diet on carrion further facilitates nutrient cycling by maintaining high fertility among soils for plants to flourish, keeping the overall primary producers of our ecosystems healthy and thriving. 

Because vultures are known “ground nesters”, they prefer to lay their eggs and raise their young in locations such as dark crevices, caves, hollow trees/fallen logs, abandoned buildings, brush piles, etc. Due to these nesting locations being significantly different than the depicted nesting behavior we see in many other birds (ie. collection of sticks, twigs, and leaves in high, out-of-reach areas), people may stumble across a clutch of young vultures and mistakenly believe they have fallen from their parents' reach. In the past, many people have “rescued” and brought in healthy, young vultures to Pelican Harbor with good intentions, but in reality are displacing these chicks from where they are supposed to be. 

 
 

Pictured above are two black vulture chicks that were brought into our clinic due to the mistaken removal from their nest

If you ever happen to run into a nest of juvenile vultures, never intervene unless absolutely necessary. Call Pelican Harbor or another wildlife rehabilitation center and see what steps to take next after finding the nest. Experts will be more than happy to assist in these situations, and will help to avoid any unnecessary disturbances!

With that being said, the next time you stumble across our large, bald, funky-looking friends chowing down on their favorite slice of roadkill, take your eyes of disgust and transform them into eyes of admiration! Instead of feeling repulsed, express gratitude to our native vultures for protecting us and our surrounding ecosystem from the harmful spread of disease. And remember, if you happen to stumble across a nest of our baby vulture friends, first call your local wildlife rehab center to help guide you through the best options based on the current situation.

References

Cats: Our Friends, Their Foes

Written by: Nicholas B. Canino, PHSS Intern

Cats are one of the most popular pets in the United States, with about 43 million households owning at least one. Their quirky personalities, neverending curiosity, and admirable features make them delightful pets to have. It is also common knowledge that these enthusiastic critters are not nearly as domesticated as dogs and still have a “wild side” to them. Much of their time is spent hunting toys on a string, pouncing on their owner’s hands, and gnawing on whatever they can get their paws on. Unfortunately, this can lead to a major issue for native animals on the receiving end of their wild nature.

Many cat owners think that it is essential to allow their cats to have free access to the outdoors around the neighborhood. This is due to a common misconception that cats require time outdoors in order to live a healthy life, but in reality, it has the opposite effect. But whether owners decide to leave them outside overnight, during the day, at all times, or even for short periods of time, these cats can do severe damage to the native wildlife that also calls that neighborhood home. Instead of having toys to hunt while inside, cats that are outdoors will choose to hunt a variety of native animals including lizards, birds, and small mammals. Many of these animals end up severely wounded or dead as a result of the cat's wild instincts.

Of course, cats are not to blame for simply complying with their natural behavior. In nature, these cats would be able to hunt and the populations of these animals would not decline so significantly. However, because of the increasing population of feral and outdoor cats in the United States, many native populations are not able to keep up. In some regions of the world, cat populations can be directly attributed to the extinction of numerous species. One study in 2013 found that domestic cats in the U.S. kill an average of 1.3 to 4 billion birds and 6.3 to 22.3 billion mammals annually. This unfathomable number of wildlife killed each year solely from domestic cat predation is why many wildlife ecologists believe cats are a greater concern for biodiversity than deforestation or climate change.

For a long time, cat owners have overlooked the impact that their precious pet is having on their local environment. Many owners will refute this argument by stating that they feed their cats a sufficient amount of food to stop them from hunting. But, has a cat ever stopped hunting toys on a string because it was full? Likewise, many owners say they have only seen their cat bring home an animal once or twice. But, for every animal they bring home, a few were left where they were killed and many more were severely injured and left to die. That is where Pelican Harbor Seabird Station comes in.

Over the past few years, Pelican Harbor has better tracked the circumstances of admission for many of our injured and sick animals. Since 2019, we have had nearly 500 animals come in that were attacked by a cat. About 75% of these animals were birds such as Northern Mockingbirds and Mourning Doves. The other 25% includes mammals like baby opossums and squirrels that we frequently get in the summer months. Cat attacks are the second most frequent reason why animals are brought to us for treatment. Unfortunately, the survival rate for these animals is very low with less than 50% of birds surviving to release. This is due to a potent bacteria that cats carry called Pasteurella multocida, which left untreated has a grace mortality  rate. Our treatment for patients attacked by cats includes strong antibiotics to avoid infection, laser treatment for pain, and wound repair and cleaning if necessary.

Because of the high occurance of cat attacks, there is a lot that we can do at Pelican Harbor to improve the situation for our native animals. Educating guests on the consequences of leaving their cats outdoors is one of the most impactful methods we can use to reduce the negative effects of outdoor cats. We always recommend that people leave their cats indoors and only allow outside access if there is an area where wildlife cannot get to, like an enclosed patio. Not only does this ensure that our wildlife is protected, but that our cats are safe as well. While we do our part to treat our wildlife, make sure you are doing your part to protect them too!


References:

Are outdoor cats happier? - Animal Humane Society

The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States - Nature

Saved by the Power of Light

Written by: Milena Orjuela, PHSS Intern

Pelicans are meant to glide through the sky, dipping in and out of the ocean on a sunny day, and leaving your jaw dropped if they happen to catch a fish near you. That is what I thought until Pelican 21-372 came to our clinic. After taking a quick glance at the bird, I secretly thought to myself, “you are doomed.” Pelican 21-372 first came into our care after being spotted with monofilament entangling its left wing, upper body, and head. It was obvious upon examination that the bird was also malnourished and dehydrated. Our staff noted multiple open wounds in its face, abdomen, legs, and a large malodorous wound on the left patagium. A malodorous wound is characterized by necrotic tissue, or bacterial colonization, often containing both anaerobes and aerobes and is a major obstruction to healing. The patagium, the site of the open wound, is a web of elastic fibers that extends from the head to the wrist and has the very important job of assisting birds in gliding and flying. Such a grave injury on a crucial part of the bird’s wing is why Pelican 21-372’s chances were initially seen as quite poor. 

A set of X-rays determined that there were no fractures or broken bones to deal with in addition to the obvious open wounds. Subcutaneous fluids were given to aid with dehydration, antibiotics, pain killers, anti-inflammatories, and Vitamin E were administered to help the healing process, and the pelican was given one dose of anti-parasitic medication. All wounds were thoroughly cleansed and special care was given to the left wing. All dead tissue was removed from the patagium, a topical antibiotic ointment was administered, and the wing was wrapped. Though the physical treatments and medications certainly had a very beneficial role in healing the bird, the laser therapy Pelican 21-372 received is what really allowed such a miraculous recovery. 

First developed in 1960, laser therapy can heal major injuries at a cellular level by stimulating a process called photobiomodulation. Photobiomodulation or PBM works as photons enter the tissue and interact with the Cytochrome C complex inside cellular mitochondria. The absorption of light by the Cytochrome C oxidase helps the cells to increase the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), which is the intracellular energy transfer molecule. This helps to restore the oxidative process which allows the cells to resume normal functions, preventing cell death and associated complications. Additionally, laser therapy can stimulate the production of free nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is a powerful vasodilator, and an important signaling molecule, respectively. Together, these chemical compounds and molecules can promote faster signaling, decreased edema, reduced inflammation, and a faster healing process. Looking at the body as a whole, PBM causes a beneficial systemic effect by expanding cellular proliferation, improving microcirculation in the tissue, and inducing growth factor production. Because the results of photobiomodulation are very dose-dependent, the strength of the therapy is selected according to the patient’s clinical presentation. High frequency (above 500hz) penetrates shallow tissue which will inhibit pain, swelling, and nerve damage. In contrast, lower frequency (under 500Hz) targets deeper tissue which speeds the healing process and is specifically used when reproduction of new cells is required.

In this case, our beloved Pelican 21-372 received low-frequency laser therapy, during which 50Hz were administered throughout the treatment. As hoped, the laser therapy significantly improved wound proliferation with comfort and ease. Treatment times should be reduced as healing begins and the injury begins to show improvement. For example, if a 3” incision takes 3 minutes to treat, then a 2” one would take 2 minutes. Any additional photons delivered over the required dose will then become inhibitory, creating a plateau in the healing process. Physical treatments, medication, and the impressive work of the laser therapy made the wound healing so significant that pelican 21-372 was described as a “healing machine” by one of our staff members. Within 16 days of admission, the pelican was spending time outside in the sunny weather, and even flying around the enclosure. It was then that the final round of antibiotics and pain killers were administered, to allow for a few more days of active healing. Although the wound was healed, the Brown pelican needed more time to regain full extension of the wing. Without full extension of the patagium, the bird would not be able to fly. To help the Pelican on the path to regain full extension and fly our staff would do physical therapy on the patient as well as allow the patient to do its own physical therapy by being outside. After nearly four months of this arduous job, all of our efforts yielded great results and Pelican 21-372 was able to be released. Next time you are at the beach and see a pelican flying by, remember that wildlife is precious and take pride in knowing they will be protected and cared for!

The Wooden Fence of Terror

Written by: Kaisha Chaves Solomon, PHSS intern, and Operation Rescue and Release volunteer

The morning of September 4th, Operation Rescue and Release notified the group chat of an injured Virginia opossum located in coral gables. I was scheduled for my internship that day; therefore, I informed Pelican Harbor Seabird Station I'd be available to perform the rescue and transport it to the station. On arrival, I contacted the good samaritan that reported the injured Opossum, patient 1612. As she guided me to the backyard, she explained she found patient 1612 hanging by its arm caught in the crack of a wooden fence. How long the opossum found itself dangling from the wall is unknown. The finder and her husband freed the Virginia opossum from the barricade, but it was evident damage was done on the front left arm. Patient 1612 was kept in the corner of the fence and offered a mixture of fruits, yogurt, and egg until help arrived; although this was a healthy diet, providing food to an injured animal before the rescue isn't recommended. Onsite, patient 1612 seemed very stressed, so I used a towel to cover its head and proper gloves to carefully transport it into a box I had prepared with a towel inside. From there on, it was a quiet ride to the station.

When arriving at the clinic, Yaritza, one of pelican harbor seabird station's most talented and highly experienced wildlife rehabilitators, performed an intake exam on patient 1612. She concluded an x-ray was necessary to determine whether a fracture was present in the left front arm. I assisted with placing patient 1612, a now confirmed adult female, into a box to be weighed on the scale. She had a total weight of 2,545 grams, and staff indicated that I pull 90cc of subcutaneous fluids that would be given to her via subcutaneous fluid administration, an injection directly under the skin. The patient was placed under anesthesia to get a complete x-ray of her body. There was no indication of a fracture in her left arm; however, Yaritza discovered a fracture in the lower jaw on the left side. I transferred patient1612 from the x-ray table to the exam table. I assisted Yaritza by holding patient 1612's head and mouth open while she flushed and cleansed the bone exposure. Yaritza thought quickly on her feet and proceeded to sow three stitches in the lower jaw as a temporary solution to hold everything in place. Patient 1612 was given the following medications via intramuscular injection: Meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory drug; Buprenorphine, a pain reliever; Ivermectin, a medicine used to treat parasites; and finally, Excede, an antibiotic. Patient 1612 also received laser therapy for her swollen left arm to help reduce the inflammation and minimize the pain.

Dr. Schneider performed surgery a few days after intake to remove the underlying infectious tissue from the wound on her front arm. The wound was so infected that we treated it as an open wound. We would clean the wound daily and replace the bandage with a new wet to dry bandage. Wet to dry bandages are used with infected wounds to draw out the infection. Along with daily bandage changes we would also cleanse the fracture site of the jaw to prevent infection. She also received laser therapy on both the rostral mandibular fracture and left front arm. Unfortunately, as the days went by, patient 1612 refused to eat overnight, causing her to lose weight drastically. There was significant tissue and nerve damage on the left front arm; therefore, staff concluded the front left limb would never function again. Patient 1612 would not be suitable for release with amputation. Therefore, euthanization was the most humane outcome for the patient. 

In conclusion, homeowners must keep in mind our furry and nocturnal neighbors and be up to date with the maintenance of their property. You never know whose life you may be saving with a simple fence repair.

Young Survivor

Written by: Maria Rakita, PHSS Intern

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Patient 21-1465 was a baby Grey Squirrel that fought to survive by her strong will and with the help of Pelican Harbor Seabird Station. Patient 1465 had fallen from her nest when she was found by a local bystander. They attempted to renest her, but sadly the renesting was not successful and she had to be brought in eight hours later. During her intake examination, she was found to be cold to the touch, slightly dehydrated, timid, had dirt in her nose, and weighed 39 grams. Patient 1465 was in dire need of help, especially since she wasn’t able to be reunited with her mother.

    After her intake examination, she was given fluids subcutaneously and oral mammal electrolytes. Fluids that are given subcutaneously are similar to the fluids given to a person through an IV. It is meant to keep the patient hydrated under the skin, hence sub(under) cutaneous(skin). In order to give fluids subcutaneously, the fluids must be calculated based on their weight, then we add a small amount of vitamin B12 to the fluids. The fluids will build up and create a bubble under the skin which will slowly be absorbed by the body. The electrolytes that were given are meant to help rehydrate the baby squirrel. We have specific refeeding guidelines for new orphaned babies. They start with mammal electrolytes and are slowly introduced to a specialized formula. We do this because the formula we give them is not exactly the same milk they get from the mom, so introducing them to our formula too quickly can cause digestive issues and dehydration. The main plan was to keep an eye on her attitude, weight, and normal physical growth. We updated her feeding plan daily to determine how much milk she will be fed and when to introduce solid food. 

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    Feeding squirrels can be extremely difficult because they are prone to aspiration, a condition in which fluid is inhaled into the lungs. When a squirrel becomes aspirated it can lead to more severe problems such as aspiration pneumonia which is why we encourage the public not to feed them. Unfortunately, patient 1465 became aspirated a couple of days after she was brought in because she was so hungry, she suckled too hard on the nipple. It could be deadly if not treated, however patient 1465 was in good hands and was given medicine right away. She got SDT (an antibiotic), as well as nebulization treatments to help clear out the lungs and prevent aspiration pneumonia. 

      Patient 1465 progressed very well with the treatments prescribed. As she grew in age, weight, and physical appearance she was able to eat what we call a soft squirrel diet and her formula. Soft squirrel diet is soft fruit and vegetables, as well as a specific biscuit that is soaked in water, so it is soft. Her weight increased and her fur looked healthy and soft. After a month of being fed formula and a soft diet, she was paired with other squirrels around her age to become wilder. We want a squirrel to become “wild” so it has a better chance of survival in the wild, so by pairing up squirrels they will be influenced by each other’s crazy and excited behavior. Since patient 1465 came in so quiet she was very calm, so pairing her up with other squirrels helped her become wilder. Patient 1465 and her group were fed a dry diet now which means they had fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and a specific biscuit that is hard. Once squirrels’ teeth start to grow it is important to provide them with plenty of hard food that will prevent their teeth from overgrowing. 

   The next month, patient 1465 was moved outside into our aviaries to get used to the outdoor climate, socialize more, and hone her natural behaviors and skills.  It is important to contact your local wildlife center if you find an injured or orphaned wild animal. This way they can properly assist you in what to do. We understand that when people find animals they are just trying to help but what we want to express is that what you think may be helping the animal could actually be harming it further. Pelican Harbor Seabird Station’s clinic staff has the proper training and experience when it comes to treating and caring for South Florida's native wildlife. All in all, squirrel 21-1465 was released and is now living her best life in the wild.

A Hoot and A Half

Written by: Cynthia Verling, PHSS Intern

Imagine you are walking on a sunny day in the lovely city of Cape Coral and stumble across a burrow! You wonder, who made this carefully crafted burrow their home? Is it a mole? Is it a gopher? It’s a burrowing owl! With bodies reaching a maximal length of 9.8 inches and a wingspan of 21.6 inches, these one of a kind avians are one of the smallest owls in the State of Florida and are classified as State Threatened by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)., These ground-dwelling owls create burrows and nests underground, as hinted at within their scientific name, Athene cunicularia – cunicularia meaning to mine or burrow in Latin. Unlike the usual image of owls peering down from trees in dense forests, burrowing owls live in vast open habitats, such as grasslands. Their burrows can stretch for lengths ranging from 6 to 10 feet, consisting of intricate tunnels weaving about 3 feet below the surface containing several bends and paths at the end of which a chamber can be found that harbors their nest., Some owls will use existing burrows or even pipes to build their burrows. The entrances to these humble abodes consist of mounds of dirt, grass, human trash articles, and are also covered intentionally by the owl with animal dung to attract insects which they can then eat. Their burrows not only serve to store away food in plentiful amounts during the period of incubation and brooding, but also provide an environment in which temperatures are better regulated and further aid in preventing the owls from dehydration during very hot days. Although, with increasing human developments and urbanization, habitat loss is an imminent and ongoing threat to these owls. In response, these owls begin to build burrows in urban environments, such as golf courses or even airports. Characteristic traits of adult burrowing owls include their dazzling yellow eyes, spindly long legs that allow them to get a better outlook from the ground-level, short tails, brown dorsal feathers with white spots and white ventral feathers with brown bar-shaped patches, distinct white eyebrows and throats, and characteristic round heads without the familiar ear tufts commonly seen in woodland owls., Nestlings on the other hand have cream-colored downy feathers that have less distinct speckles. Their diet consists mostly of insects but can also include other small birds, fish, rodents, and particularly in Florida, reptiles, such as snakes, frogs, and lizards, as, after all, raptors are carnivores.

The burrowing owl is arguably a perfect embodiment of the idiom “rare bird,” as it has so many unique attributes that set it apart from other birds in the family Strigidae. In addition to their peculiar small size and absent ear tufts, these owls are diurnal rather than nocturnal during the breeding season, thus showing activity during the daytime., Known to be very animated and sprightly, it is not uncommon to see these owls bobbing and bouncing up and down, while nestlings will even playfully leap at one another and prey, accruing at the same time important behavioral skills to prepare them for hunting later in life. Interestingly, nestlings also are known to imitate the rattling of a rattlesnake from within the protection of their burrows as a defense mechanism to ward off unwanted visitors, such as predators and humans., As a consequence of being the only species that perch on the ground, burrowing owls behave differently than one would expect; for example, if bothered or hunting they can be seen pushing themselves flat against the ground or running, respectively, as opposed to flying like owls usually do. Even more fascinating is that unlike other raptors, where the female is visibly larger than the male, which is termed “reverse sexual dimorphism,” female and male burrowing owls are the same size, with the latter being only a mere 3% larger – a size difference imperceptible to the naked human eye at first glance. Furthermore, male and female Burrowing Owls bear the same coloration, which is interesting as sexual dimorphism dictates that female and male conspecifics have traits that differ between them, and in many birds, this usually results in males exhibiting a visibly larger size or significantly more extravagant plumage coloration or ornamentation– traits that serve in courtship or competition for mates. Burrowing Owls pair for life, and unusual for an owl, are not solitary, but rather prefer to live in small colonies. This can be explained by the principle of group living, believed to have evolved independently in many different species. Group living confers advantages such as greater protection against predators, group defense, increased feeding efficiency, sharing of behaviors and communicating information, increased rate of reproduction due to access to potential partners, shelter, division of labor, and social thermoregulation. Burrowing Owls exhibit such social behaviors as the male and female even take turns in incubating the eggs, foraging, and caring for the offspring. Therefore, smaller species are often found living together in groups. Lastly, due to the significant amount of time they spend underground where there is less oxygenated air, they have an adaptation that confers them an increased tolerance for carbon dioxide.

These incredible avians are, however, under threat of habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, as well as climate change, and rodenticide poisoning, which all have long-lasting impacts on entire ecosystems. Burrowing owls fall victim to secondary rodenticide toxicosis called “bioaccumulation” when they consume rodents that have consumed rodenticide., Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs), e.g., brodifacoum, are slow-acting anticoagulants, which result in the rodents not dying instantly. This leads to poisoned rodents slowly becoming weak, but because they are not instantly killed, they roam about, becoming more easily caught by predators such as Burrowing Owls. Bioaccumulation, however, causes for the period the rodent is alive to allow for a buildup of toxins to a much greater lethal dose. As the owl consumes the rodent, the toxin moves through the food web from rodents (secondary consumers) to burrowing owls (tertiary consumers), running the risk of accumulating even greater lethal amounts of poison over time at a rate greater than it can be broken down, this time in the burrowing owl. Brodifacoum is according to one source, the most widely used rat poison in the United States, and has a very long half-life in animals. A study conducted from 2006 to 2010 at Tufts Wildlife Clinic at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine reported that from 161 birds, 86% had anticoagulant rodenticide residues in their liver tissues, of which 99% had brodifacoum in their liver tissues. Moreover, only 9 of these birds that tested positive exhibited clinical symptoms, demonstrating that many affected may not show visible signs of poisoning, which is critical given the concern of bioaccumulation at an ecological level. SGARs function by inhibiting the enzyme vitamin K reductase, which under normal conditions allows for the reactivation of vitamin K – a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a vital role in the coagulation cascade by producing coagulation factors I, II, VII, IX, and X in the liver and synthesizing Protein C, Protein S, and Protein Z that serve to prevent thrombosis., During the coagulation cascade, the factors produced by vitamin K are crucial to allowing the downstream activation of prothrombin to form thrombin, the latter of which ultimately stimulates the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, which traps platelets to form a spongy mass that hardens into a blood clot and prevents one from bleeding out. Additionally, the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab explains that animals commonly have stores of clotting factors that delay the full effect of poisoning for 3-5 days following ingestion and the hemorrhaging onset. While coagulation panels (a blood test) exist for diagnosing anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis in domestic animals, there are currently no existing blood tests for birds to screen for rodenticide toxicosis. Burrowing owls that get a lethal dose through consuming an affected rodent face an inhumane slow death from internal or external bleeding that causes them to weaken, which may cause them to obtain injuries in the meantime, until either the hemorrhaging or other life-threatening injuries sustained while weakened eventually kill them. If rodenticide toxicosis is evident, vitamin K can be administered to act as an antidote and help restore the blood coagulation cascade to normalcy. Additionally, stomach flushing, inducing vomiting, and administering activated charcoal are all treatments that may be used to prevent additional absorption of toxin by the body. 

Raptors such as Burrowing Owls play a critical ecological role both in the wild and in urban areas. Rodenticide toxicosis in these incredible avians is not just an issue to be left to conservationists and wildlife rescue and rehabilitators, but is a public issue that must be addressed at the source to prevent further systemic damage throughout food webs, as maintaining a sustainable and biodiverse ecosystem is a necessary goal for conserving, protecting, and restoring healthy and vibrant wildlife and their habitats and by extension and directly in relation also human health, as we are all connected and a part of the planet’s ecosystem.

Sources:

Conway, Courtney J. “Burrowing Owls: Happy Urbanite or Disgruntled Tenant?” In Urban Raptors: Ecology and Conservation of Birds of Prey in Cities, edited by Boal C.W., and Dykstra C.R., Washington, DC: Island Press, 2018. 

Cornell University. “Burrowing Owl: Identification.” The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Cornell University. “Raptors and Rat Poison.” The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Cornell University. “Rodenticide Toxicity.” Cornell Wildlife Health Lab

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “Burrowing Owl.”

Khan, Safdar A., and Mary M. Schell. “Anticoagulant Rodenticides (Warfarin and Congeners).” Merck Veterinary Manual. Last modified October, 2014.

Libre Texts. “Role of Vitamin K.” Last modified August 13, 2020.

Murray, Maureen. “Anticoagulant Rodenticide Exposure And Toxicosis In Four Species Of Birds Of Prey Presented To A Wildlife Clinic In Massachusetts,” 2006-2010. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 42, no. 1 (2011): 88–97.

National Audubon Society. “Guide to North American Birds: Burrowing Owl.”

National Geographic. “Biomagnification and Bioaccumulation.”

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. “Sea Wonder: Burrowing Owl.”

Owl Research Institute. “Burrowing Owl: Athene cunicularia.”

Runnells, Charles. “Cape Coral's burrowing owls: Everything you need to know about the city's famous bird.” The News-Press. February 23, 2019.  


Vallejo, David. “Animal’s social behavior: Group living.” Zoo Portraits. July 17, 2018.

A Blue Jay's Last Chance

Written by: Daniela Hojda, PHSS Intern

Pelican Harbor sees Blue jay nestlings all the time, so when patient 21-1193 arrived at Pelican Harbor cold, depressed, and dehydrated, the rehab team knew exactly what to do to save it. It was immediately placed in an incubator to try to bring its body temperature up, and given several medications to help with each issue it presented with. Patient 1193 was given subcutaneous fluids with vitamin B complex, which are vital in helping resolve a patient’s dehydration. Often, vitamin B complex is added to the subcutaneous fluids to increase a patient’s appetite and to increase their metabolic and brain function. Also, one of the staff members heard crackles when she listened to the patient’s lungs, indicating that 1193 had aspirated. Aspiration is usually seen in baby birds when they are not brought into Pelican Harbor immediately after being found. Before bringing a baby bird to Pelican Harbor, people sometimes try to take care of and feed it. It is very easy for baby birds to aspirate food if not fed correctly, and this may lead to several health problems such as aspiration pneumonia, which in such tiny patients, is often fatal. Patient 1193 was prescribed sulfadiazine/trimethoprim (SDT), a broad spectrum antimicrobial medication, in order to help resolve the aspiration. After a few hours at Pelican Harbor, patient 1193 was much more alert and active. By the next day it seemed like a perfectly healthy nestling.

Unfortunately, two days after patient 1193 was brought to Pelican Harbor, the rehabilitation staff noticed that its right leg was resting in a concerning position, and the patient struggled to stand on it. The staff took radiographs to try and figure out why patient 1193 could not bear weight properly on its right leg. They found an old fracture of the right tibiotarsus, which had healed completely unaligned. Because the fracture was not aligned before healing, the patient’s leg was permanently bent in a way that made it unable to stand properly. This was a very worrying finding for patient 1193’s future, because an animal that is unable to use one of its legs cannot be released back into the wild. The decision was made to give patient 1193 a fighting chance by performing a surgery where the veterinarian will realign the old fracture so it can heal correctly. Once the bone is realigned, the veterinarian will then put a pin through the bone to hold the bone in place and keep the broken ends aligned. Although this surgery is extremely risky for such a small and young bird, this was patient 1193’s last chance at recovery. The veterinarian used X-rays taken before the surgery so she could get a good look at the bone that needed to be realigned. After the surgery, the staff took another set of X-rays to determine if the pin was in the right place for the bone to heal correctly. The placement of the pin looked promising, and if the patient survived the recovery period after anesthesia, the prognosis for patient 1193 was positive but still guarded. However, it’s important to remember that surgery on such a small and fragile animal is often extremely stressful which makes the recovery process extremely challenging.

Although everyone at Pelican Harbor had high hopes for patient 1193, unfortunately the stress of the surgery and anesthesia took a toll and the patient died a few hours after surgery. The staff at Pelican Harbor gave patient 1193 a fighting chance with this surgery; however, the surgery proved to be too stressful for the young Blue Jay. This type of surgery is one of the procedures used to align fractures in birds; however, the big challenge for this particular patient was how small and young it was, making it a much more risky surgery. If the patient had survived the surgery, the pin would have remained in the bone for a little over a week until a callus around the fracture formed. The patient would then be sedated again to remove the pin. Once the pin is removed we would start extensive physical therapy to ensure the patient has full use of the leg. If the patient maintained full use of the leg and no other issues arose then the patient would be a candidate for release. It’s important to remember that in wildlife medicine, rehabbers must consider that once an animal is released back into their habitat, that animal must be able to fend for themselves. An animal that has any health issues or anatomical flaw that reduces their fitness will most likely not survive in the wild.

Avian Pox: Transmission and Treatment in Wildlife Rehabilitation

Written by: Victoria Heijn, PHSS Intern

Avian pox is a viral disease that is believed to affect most bird species, with cases of pox reported in approximately 230 wild and domestic species. The disease can be highly contagious and may take time to show symptoms after a patient is infected, so it can pose a challenge to wildlife rehabilitators whenever an outbreak occurs in their facilities. Consequently, the clinic staff at PHSS takes precautions and exercises diligence in examining patients, tracking changes in health, and minimizing the spread if a case does arise. With over 100 patients currently receiving care at PHSS (many of them baby birds), it is important to understand how the pox virus spreads, its clinical presentations, and the measures that can be taken to mitigate the impact of the disease. 

Transmission mainly occurs when viral particles enter the body through an opening in the skin. In the wild, it is most commonly spread through the bites of insects such as mosquitoes, flies, mites, fleas, etc. The virus may also be contracted through contact with an infected animal or a contaminated surface such as bird feeders and birdbaths. In a wildlife rehabilitation center, this may include branches or perches, nests, food and water bowls, and toys. The virus may also be transmitted through aerosolized particles. 

The most common clinical presentation seen is known as the dry or cutaneous form, and it consists of the appearance of wart-like lesions on featherless areas of the body, including around the beak, eyelids, legs, and feet. In this form, pox develops slowly after birds become infected, and lesions usually persist for one to four weeks. Birds usually recover from this, and their lesions may heal with some scarring. However, in some cases, the lesions may cause permanent damage such as blindness, malformations of the beak, or loss of digits and feet, depending on the affected area. There is also a risk of mortality due to secondary bacterial infections, and young birds are more susceptible to having lasting defects than adults. In wet pox, or the diphtheritic form, mucus membranes may be affected, and the disease may spread to the respiratory tract. In the least common septicemic form (usually seen in canaries), the virus can lead to depression, anorexia, and death. 

Although there is no definitive cure for pox, supportive care is usually given. This may include topical care of the lesions, usually with an iodine solution. Antibacterial treatment may also be incorporated to fight off bacterial infections. Patients’ diets may be supplemented with vitamins and fluids to promote the healing of their lesions and boost their immune systems. Once patients show signs of pox, they are isolated, and other susceptible patients are closely monitored for similar signs. In addition to placing patients on pox watch, sanitation of any bedding, perches, bowls, toys, and other items shared among patients is vital in preventing the spread of the virus. Sanitation methods include scrubbing with soap, soaking in a disinfecting solution, and decontaminating with a diluted bleach solution. By keeping a close watch on patients and maintaining high standards of sanitation at the clinic, PHSS staff work to support patients that are infected, minimize the spread to others, and prepare patients to be released back into their natural habitats.

Go Fish

Written by: Nicole Perez, PHSS Intern

Nothing is more inviting for a fishing day than beautiful, shimmering south Florida waters. From our perspective, it's the perfect opportunity to take in some fresh air and enjoy a little of mother nature. For our pelican patients at Pelican Harbor Seabird Station, their story is often a different one from ours. Brown Pelican patients 21-1052 and 21-1179, among many others, recall a fishing day as the day they were removed from their natural habitat in order to be treated for hook-related injuries. Patient 1052 arrived at our clinic on May 23rd, 2021 with a sabiki hook attached to its wing near the left humerus and multiple lacerations on his pouch. Patient 1179 arrived at our clinic on June 14th, 2021 with a treble hook pierced through the skin and muscle on its right wing and wrist area. 

Both patients were treated and monitored accordingly throughout their stay and recovery process at our clinic. Pelican 1052 required surgery to repair the pouch tear and pelican 1179 was treated for its wounds. Luckily for these two patients, there were no swallowed hooks or fractures and they recovered well. We’re glad to announce that both patients were released on June 30th, 2021 back into their beautiful natural habitat. 

Since its founding in 1980, Pelican Harbor Seabird Station has treated over 9,000 pelicans, hundreds of which have arrived entangled in fishing gear or have hook-related injuries. While patients 1052 and 1179 were given a second chance at life, others were not so fortunate. You have the power to help us protect these birds by being cautious when fishing and disposing of your fishing tackle properly.

If you're not already hooked on why saving our brown pelicans is vital, here are some cool facts about them:

  • Brown Pelicans were on the brink of extinction 40 years ago largely due to DDT (a harmful pesticide that has since then been banned). After being placed on the Endangered Species List, the Brown Pelican have since made a full recovery

  • Brown pelicans can plummet over 60 feet to catch fish

  • Their pouch can hold more than 2.5 gallons of water

While Florida takes the title for “Fishing Capital of the World”, it is important to remember that we are not the only ones who enjoy being out in nature, and our actions can greatly affect that of wildlife. When going fishing, it is important to watch out for any closeby wildlife and protect them from any fishing gear that may be near. If you accidentally hook a seabird, do not cut the line! Do not shake the line to loosen the hook as this will most likely injure the bird further. Instead, slowly reel them in close and carefully contain them while taking measures to protect yourself as well. Often, seabirds have long bills; therefore keeping sunglasses nearby will come in handy when handling the injured wildlife. For stressed/ feisty birds, putting a towel over them can help calm them allowing you to remove the hook or fishing gear safely. Once you have the bird safely contained, contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center for further assistance. After a fishing trip, remember to properly dispose of any fishing line/ gear that may have been left behind to prevent wildlife entanglement. 

“Wade into life

Look beneath the surface

Spread your wings

Keep your beak clean

Soar over rough waters

Stretch yourself

Go fish!”

-Advice from a pelican Bibliography

Sources:

https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/unhook/?redirect=unhook

https://seahistory.org/sea-history-for-kids/brown-pelicans/

https://abcbirds.org/bird/brown-pelican/