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The increasing
success rate for treating and releasing healthy birds and
returning them to their natural environment is the result
of three decades of experience.
IBRRC is licensed by Federal and State agencies to work with
native wildlife, and has been instrumental in developing
procedures, protocols and techniques for the treatment of
oil-soaked birds. This knowledge, gained largely through
trial and error, has helped to increase the successful rehabilitation
rate from three percent in 1971, when IBRRC was founded to
up to 90 percent in 2000.
Treating and rehabilitating birds for eventual release involves
proper planning, organization, administration, facilities,
equipment and adequate staffing with professionals and volunteers.
Oiled animals should not be treated or cleaned without proper
facilities and trained personnel.
The following steps are taken when the public or organized
rescue teams bring oil-contaminated birds to a treatment
center.
Identification and Stabilization
All wild animals stress
easily in captivity and oiled birds typically suffer stress
from the effects of the oil, capture and transport. Before
they can be washed they must be stabilized or the additional
stress of the wash process could kill them. Stabilizing most
oil-affected animals requires medical treatments under veterinary
supervision and intensive supportive care for at least 48
hours.
At a stabilization center, trained staff and volunteers identify
the species and a numbered plastic leg band is attached to
the lower part of the leg to track each bird for record keeping
during the recovery process. At the time of release, a stainless
steel US Fish and Wildlife leg band will be used to identify
and monitor the bird after release to its natural habitat.
When a bird arrives at the center, a thorough physical exam
determines the condition of the bird and the degree of oiling.
Frequently, oiled birds are debilitated either by the toxic
effects of ingesting oil, or by exhaustion/starvation. The
oil may cover only a small patch, or the bird may be totally
soaked in oil. The bird is weighed, its temperature is taken
and blood is taken from each bird and analyzed in an attempt
to determine the internal health of the animal. This process
is done periodically throughout the bird's stay. Immediately
following its initial examination, it is fed a rehydration
solution through a tube inserted into its stomach. The solution
treats dehydration commonly seen in oiled aquatic birds,
which can be life threatening, absorbs digested oil from
the birds digestive tract, and flushes out the birds system.
Preliminary treatment and stabilization helps the bird regain
its strength before the cleaning process begins. Each bird
is housed according to each species’ specific requirements,
and date of capture. The bird discouraged from preening itself
and ingesting oil by being kept in a warm, quiet environment
until it becomes alert and responsive, and ultimately, ready
to be washed. An oiled bird is not able to thermo regulate
their internal body temperature, so it is stabilized in a
warm environment and monitored closely for signs of hypo-
and hyperthermia. The bird is constantly monitored for stress,
dehydration and disease, and is given intensive supportive
nutrition and hydration therapy for at least two days or
until it is strong enough to withstand the cleaning procedure.
The bird is allowed to move about and behave normally in
specially designed pens that minimize further damage to its
feathers and body. The bird is not restrained or prevented
from biting by binding its wings, legs, or beak.
Criteria
for wash and rinse include proper stabilization, appropriate
medical treatments, appropriate weight gain, excellent blood
values, and normal behavior. The bird is not washed until
it meets each aspect of these wash criteria. Because cleaning
a bird can be life threatening, the goal is to wash each
oiled bird only once, so it is crucial that it is healthy
enough to handle the length of the washing ordeal.
Removing Oil From the Feathers
The product found through IBRRC testing to be
the most effective at removing oil is Dawn dishwashing liquid.
Once the bird has been approved by the veterinarian
to be washed and is moved to the washing area, a team
of trained
personnel begin the wash procedure. Because the experience
is extremely stressful and can result in the death of the
bird, only trained staff and volunteers oversee cleaning
oiled birds. The bird’s entire body is immersed in
a one percent solution of Dawn and warm water (warm enough
to approximate the bird’s internal body temperature.
Once wet, the bird is unable to thermo regulate) by one person
while a second vigorously agitates the water into the bird’s
feathers. A WaterPik filled with the same solution is used
to clean the head. A soft toothbrush and cotton swabs are used
to loosen dried oil around the head and eye area. |
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Pelican gets soaped down in tubs with
1% "Dawn" dishwashing liquid. (IBRRC photo)
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When the water becomes dirty, the bird is moved to a second
pan. The washing process is repeated
as often as necessary and ten to 15 tubs are not uncommon.
The bird is considered clean when the tub of water is clear
and free of oil.
The bird is constantly monitored for any signs of stress
during the washing procedure. If a bird exhibits signs of
exhaustion or undue stress, the wash procedure is stopped
by the team leader or veterinarian.
Rinsing the Solution from the Feathers
After wash, the bird is taken to a separate rinsing area where a special nozzle is used to
completely rinse the solution from the feathers. The rinsing process is just as important as wash, because
any detergent or solution left on the feathers can impair the natural waterproofing process even if all the
oil has been removed. Specially designed spa nozzles are used that propel the water at sufficient psi to
remove all traces of detergent from the birds feathers. Rinsing is done by a team of
experienced rinsers who are able to determine when all the soap and oil has been removed from the feathers.
Drying and Restoring Waterproofing
After wash and rinse, the cleaned bird is placed
in a protective net-bottomed pen equipped with commercial
pet grooming dryers to dry the feathers. IBRRC does not condone
the use of personal-use hair dryers, as they have been found
to burn the delicate skin of aquatic birds. As it rests comfortably
under the pet grooming dryer, the bird will begin to preen
its own feathers back into place. The complete realignment
of feathers in a tight overlapping pattern creates a waterproof
seal.
The bird is tube fed a nutritious food mixture to assure
proper nourishment, plenty of fluids, as well as vitamins
and medications, and is allowed free access to food. Its
progress is carefully monitored by medical personnel to assure
continuing health and safety.
Preparing the Bird for Release
When the bird is completely dry and has adequately
preened, it is placed in a warm water therapy pool where
it continues to preen. It is closely monitored for floating/swimming
ability, general alertness and observed for waterproofing.
The bird may be swum in a warm water pool environment and
placed under a pet groomer for several days to encourage
preening the feathers back into alignment. After each swim
in water, the bird is checked by trained personnel for wet
spots on or under the feathers, an indication that rebathing
or further medical treatments may be necessary.
When the bird has demonstrated sufficient preening and its
waterproofing improves sufficiently, it is “graduated” to
a cold-water pool. Cold-water pools are outdoor diving pools,
where the bird can be in a completely water-based environment
full-time, and can continue to feed, preen, and behave normally.
The bird is monitored carefully by trained personnel and
the wildlife veterinarian until it meets release criteria.
Release:
An oiled bird is released when it is completely stable,
healthy, approved by the wildlife veterinarian for release,
and when its waterproofing is determined to be flawless
by highly trained personnel. An aquatic bird must be
perfectly waterproof prior to release, because aquatic
birds that do not have perfect waterproofing will not
survive in the wild. The bird must exhibit normal feeding,
swimming, and diving behavior, and have normal weight/blood
values for their species. It is only released to an area
not affected by oil that has been approved by State and
Federal Trustees. Before release, the bird is banded
with a stainless steel US Fish and Wildlife leg band.
This allows identification and aids IBRRC in its research.
Releases are usually made early in the day, during fair
weather, so the bird can adjust to its natural habitat
during daylight hours.
Also see:
Pelicans:
Before and after cleaning photos
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