It Doesn't Stop with DDT

Written by: Samantha Martinez, Environmental Educator

“Out of sight, out of mind”. It is how we feel when we stuff our laundry under our beds and walk away from a stressful situation. However; it is not the philosophy we should take up when it comes to the effect of pesticides on the environment around us. Here at Pelican Harbor,  these effects often show up right at our doorstep, either in the form of malnourished nestlings or suspected pesticide poisoning cases in both young animals and adults. In these cases of animals brought in to us, we can begin treatment immediately to flush out these toxins from the animal’s system with fluids and vitamins. Once healed and released back into the wild, we have to hope that the patient doesn’t have another run-in with the number of ingestible poisons that can be found in urban areas such as Miami. 

You may remember or have heard of the disastrous effects that the pesticide DDT had on bird populations, most notably on the eggs of the Bald Eagle and the Brown Pelican, bringing both species to the brink of extinction. This synthetic chemical would not usually harm an adult bird outright but would affect the calcium metabolism in adult birds leading them to lay eggs that were not strong enough to withstand the weight of the parent incubating it. Though these effects were pertinent throughout the 1940s when DDT was first developed, it was not until 1972, two years after the establishment of the EPA and ten years after the release of multiple studies on the aftermath of the pesticide, that DDT was banned from use in the U.S. When we look at the commonly used pesticides today for both agriculture and personal gardening it is hard to say that we are not also ignoring the negative side effects of these pesticides on the wildlife around us. 

One of the most commonly used pesticides in home gardening in the US is Permethrin, a type of Pyrethroid. This is a family of synthetic pesticides meant to mimic and enhance the effect of the natural pesticides found in chrysanthemum flowers. This insecticide works by allowing sodium ions into the neural membrane of the victim in copious amounts, leading to depolarization and hyperactivity of the neuron. Eventually, after muscle spasm caused by this neural incapacitator, the victim will pass away. Pyrethroids have been thought to be an effective and safe insecticide due to their lack of toxicity when exposure is dermal or respiratory. Meaning, as long as you don’t mistake it for your margarita mix, it’s not going to have an obvious effect on your body. Most adult animals can process the chemical as long as it is not ingested orally or injected directly into the animal. However, this chemical can still be harmful to people. Pyrethroids are unaffected by secondary treatment in municipal waterways and therefore trace amounts can be found in most drinking water where the chemical is used. It has also been reported that young children with asthma or infants can have adverse effects from even minimal exposure. 

Though Pyrethroids are supposed to be a targeted insecticide it does still manage to have an effect on the animals other than the intended targets. For example, it has been shown time and time again that this toxin has a negative effect on our already dwindling bee population. The most susceptible classes of animals besides insects to this specific toxin are amphibians and plankton, which are all vital members of their food webs and most susceptible to chemical runoff in the water. Pyrethroids can also be very lethal to cats since their liver cannot process it as well as that of other mammals. Lastly, when it comes to our feathered friends, while this specific toxin is able to be expelled from their bodies quite quickly with minimal effect, it has been shown that the decrease in the insect population has led to more deaths in first-year insect-eating songbirds. 

It is not only our backyard pesticides that have a negative effect on the environment and we cannot solely or even heavily place blame on the individual gardener attempting to rid his home and yard of pests. Agricultural use of pesticides like neonicotinoids, a chemical closely related to nicotine, has continued to increase despite the overall decrease in pesticides themselves over the past two decades. Neonicotinoids, neonics for short, which are bred into the seeds of the crops, are used in 44% of farms in the U.S. This allows cheaper protection for crops such as soy, corn and canola but also has a severely adverse effect on the local environment since only 5% of the chemical is cultivated in the plant and the rest is lost to water runoff at the seed stage. Neonic then finds itself in local water sources, affecting animals from the bottom to the top of the food chain. 

Besides being aware of the crops we buy and the chemicals they may harbor, there is little we can do to affect the pesticide use of large agricultural based businesses. What we can do is take a look at our own yards and neighborhoods and choose to treat them with natural, less harmful pest preventions such as companion planting, using soaps and plant oils or introducing predators to your pests such as ladybugs. Whatever you choose to do for your home, it is important to keep in mind that when it comes to the dangers of pesticides, it did not stop with DDT. 

Sources:

Connected, Science, et al. “Organic Gardening and Alternatives to Pesticides.” Science Connected Magazine, 6 June 2021

“The Origins of EPA.” US EPA, 9 July 2021

“The Same Pesticides Linked to Bee Declines Might Also Threaten Birds.” Audubon, 14 May 2019

Wikipedia contributors. “Pyrethroid.” Wikipedia, 15 Apr. 2021

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/

The Cormorant Times

Written by: Stephanie Gomez, PHSS Intern

 Today I will be talking about patient 21-0992, an adult Double-crested Cormorant. It came in on May 23rd after people found him weak and quiet yet alert. During the intake exam, staff came across several findings. The patient seemed to be moderately dehydrated due to the mucous membrane observed as pale-colored and dry. A mouth swab was performed to check for any parasites it may have, and it came back negative. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with astasis, commonly found in birds, which is a lack in motor coordination with the inability to stand, walk, or even sit properly.

After the intake exam, this patient was given subcutaneous fluids for dehydration, Vitamin B Complex for protein growth, Vitamin E for helping maintain metabolic processes, Panacur, and Ivermectin for any parasites the patient might have. This patient was introduced to a liquid diet called Piscivores care, a special liquid diet for Piscivores (fish eaters). This is used to lighten the load on the stomach and is high in nutrients to get this bird back into shape. The clinic staff then proceeded to do an x-ray of this patient to check for any unusual findings inside not seen by the eye. They found that there was a hook fragment found in the GI tract. It was soon given the medication called Meloxicam which is used as an anti-inflammatory.

As part of the patient’s continued care, it was kept in a cage inside the ICU with plenty of comfort and enrichment. The method called the “cotton fish method” was done which is a process in which cotton is put inside a fish, the fish is given to the patient, in hopes that the hook fragment piece will attach to the cotton and the bird will regurgitate it out. This method is the first to be used because it is noninvasive. Hydrotherapy was also done once in a while to help relieve some stress off the patient and help with the condition of astasis. Hydrotherapy is performed by placing the bird into a big bucket of water to allow it to kick its feet. This also helps to enable the muscles to move in a lighter way inside the water. The veterinarian proceeded with a check-up on the hook fragment found and cleared the cormorant of the hook.

Finally, after seeing some progress inside and the patient was getting stronger, it was moved into an outside enclosure. Here the patient has the space to regain flight muscles, swim in the big pool, and continue healing. It began flying, standing much better, swimming, and was seen catching its own fish in the big pool inside the pen. After 24 days in care, it was cleared to be released! On June 17th, this Double-crested cormorant was released on the PHSS premises. It flew out of the cage and took a nice little bath once it reached the water.

During this process, I learned the importance of deworming a patient. Many parasites can enter the body of a bird, so taking precautions and treating them as soon as possible help prevent them from infesting a patient. Once these worms reach the gut, they can multiply. The main problem with worms is that they can suck up nutrients the bird needs, and as more accumulate, the bird becomes weak, lethargic, develops poor feather condition, and even reduces egg production. 

Sources:

https://vetafarm.com/worms-in-birds/

The Silent Raptor Killers

Written by: Marielys Gutierrez, PHSS Intern

A Cooper’s Hawk is a medium-sized hawk native to North America and found in South Florida. Adults are a bluish-grey color with warm reddish bars on the underparts of their body and thick dark bands on the tail. On June 24th, 2021, a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk (patient 21-1237) was brought in with singed and burnt feathers on the wings and tail. Its face was swollen, and the eyes were closed shut. The mean body temperature of a Cooper’s Hawk just after flight is 104.3 F (Custer, Feierabend, & Hoffman, 1990). At the time of intake, the body temperature of patient 1237 was 107.5 F. The initial weight of the patient was 273 kg. The suspected cause for the burns and reason for intake was electrocution or methane burn. 

Patient 1237 had an extensive number of injuries and the treatment plan had to cover lowering the body temperature, treating damaged feathers and eyes, pain management, treating inflammation and possible infections. After intake, patient 1237 was placed inside a large box with ice packs, and its body temperature lowered to 104 F. Initial treatments included flushing the eyes, and oral administration of meloxicam and tramadol. Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve inflammation and pain and tramadol is an opioid used to treat more severe pain. After flushing the eyes, the corneas appeared intact, but bruising was present. The eyes were kept lubricated and tobramycin eye drops were administered. 

The initial care of patient 1237 focused on pain management and temperature control and the continual care shifted towards treating any possible infections, maintaining body weight, and plan towards the care of the skin and feathers. An x-ray was performed and revealed no significant findings. Meloxicam, tramadol, tobramycin, eye lube, and subcutaneous fluids continued to be administered twice a day. Spikes in temperature continued to be observed and it was believed the patient might have been fighting an infection. Sulfatrim, an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections (such as ear, urine, respiratory, intestinal infections, etc.), was introduced orally to the patient twice a day. The current weight of the patient is at 262 kg. Due to the patient not being able to maintain its body weight, the staff started alternating between force-feeding the patient mice and tube feeding a liquid prescription diet. After five days in care, the patient’s eyes opened up and on July 1st, sloughing (shedding) of skin on legs was observed.

Cooper’s Hawk 1237 remains under the care of Pelican Harbor Seabird Station until it is fit for release. Throughout the care of the patient, I began to read articles about raptor-related burns and learned that methane burns result in similar burns found on the Cooper’s Hawk in our care. Landfills use a methane burner to convert methane into water and carbon dioxide. The flames shoot out of an exhaust pipe and are colorless. Raptors like to perch on the methane burners to inspect for prey. When a raptor flies into the flames, although they may survive the immediate injuries, most eventually starve due to losing their ability to hunt and fly (Deines, 2020). A creative solution, found by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agent James Dowd, has been to add tops to the methane exhaust pipes with sharp points to deter birds from perching on them (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region, 2013). Power line electrocution is another leading cause of raptor mortality. Diagnosis is made according to the burns of the feathers and skin. Electrocution wounds are different in the way that they have a presence of an entrance and exit wound, and include skin lacerations, subcutaneous burns, bruising, vascular rupture, etc. (Kagan, 2016). Usually, landfills are in secluded areas, so it is unknown how many birds suffer a similar fate. The Cooper’s Hawk in our care was found in a neighborhood, leading the team at Pelican Harbor to suspect electrocution to be the probable cause of the injuries. Thanks to the work done at Pelican Harbor many of these birds are given a fighting chance, and we have hope that our Cooper’s Hawk will be able to heal all its wounds and molt the injured feathers with time. 

The Tricky Tibiotarsus of Fish Crow #1105

Written by: Izzy Swift, PHSS Intern

On June 3rd, Fish Crow 21-1105 was found with its nestmate and brought into Pelican Harbor Seabird Station. Fish Crows are one of two species of crows that are found in Miami-Dade County, the other being the American Crow. One of the main differences between the Fish and American Crow is their size and habitat: Fish Crows are smaller than American Crows and can be found along coasts and waterways while American Crows are found in fields, woodlands or forests. Once in our care, Fish Crow 1105 was given a full intake exam, given a dewormer to treat any parasites it might have, subcutaneous fluids to aid in rehydrating the nestling, and sprayed with an anti-mite, anti-lice spray to help treat the feather mites it came in with.

The Tricky Tibiotarsus of Fish Crow 1105 shoe - Izzy Swift.png

The first few days Fish Crow 1105 was in our care, it wasn’t very active and wasn’t eating on its own. To give the crow a better shot at surviving, we placed it in an oxygen chamber to help it breathe easier and also tube fed it a liquid diet called Omnivore-Care (O-Care). To see if there were any parasites responsible for 1105’s inactivity, we did a crop swab. To perform a crop swab, we take a sterile cotton swab and swab the inside of the bird’s crop or mouth. We then analyze the sample under a microscope to see if any parasites like trichmanosis are present. 1105’s crop swab was negative, which indicates it does not have any crop parasites and this was not the reason for its inactivity. After a few days, 1105 appeared to feel much better and began to eat a solid diet of fish, fruits and veggies, and other nutrients for a complete diet which we tong feed to nestlings until they are old enough to eat independently. We also noticed that 1105 wasn’t using its left leg and its left foot was curled and not fully extending. Due to this discovery, we decided to put a shoe on its left foot to force the bird to keep its foot in a natural position. Shoes are used to give the leg extra support so 1105 can put weight on the leg and start to strengthen the muscles again to prevent atrophy or the degradation of the muscle from disuse. We also gave 1105 some pain medication to help it stand on its leg and make it more comfortable in our care as its leg healed.

The next step for 1105 was to get radiographs (x-rays) taken of its leg to see exactly what was causing the crow pain and preventing it from using its left leg. The images taken showed that 1105 had a fracture in its left leg, specifically in the tibiotarsus. The fracture appeared to be old since it had already started to heal in the image. To help it heal the rest of the way, we began to give 1105 a calcium supplement that will aid in the healing of the fracture. After the radiographs, it was unclear whether the old fracture would affect the use of 1105’s left foot, but everyone was hoping with the proper care 1105 would be able to use its foot again and eventually be released back into the wild. As an extra precaution, we also performed a fecal test on 1105 to make sure it did not have any parasites affecting its recovery but did not see any under the microscope.

For the weeks 1105 has been in our care, its weight has continued to fluctuate and we have tried different bandage types to help it regain use of its left foot and begin perching on branches. We switched from the shoe, which keeps the foot in a flat position on the ground, to a ball bandage that gives the foot more curvature, almost as if the left foot is constantly in a gripping position. We still did not witness 1105 perching normally, but after a week with the ball bandage on, 1105 was able to grip with its left foot which is a drastic improvement from when it first came into Pelican Harbor.

As 1105 continues to improve, we will continue to keep it in an inside enclosure so we can easily keep an eye on the Fish Crow and administer its needed medications. While inside, it will have the company of two other Fish Crows sharing its enclosure and have constant stimulation with a variety of toys, fresh greenery, and diets. We will also begin physical therapy exercises with its left foot to give 1105 a greater chance to regain full function of its foot which is required if it is to be released back into the wild. Hopefully, in the next few months, 1105 will be back in the wild and find protection and company in a new flock.