Rescue & Rehab Journal

June 17, 2013

April, 12th 2015

A Spectacled Eider was observed unable to fly. After consulting with ASLC staff and US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Eider was flown from Barrow to Anchorage to be treated at the ASLC Rehabilitation Facility. An examination by the vet determined that the male bird had possibly hit a power line, and it was discovered that he has feather lice. Special thanks to Micah Miller of USFWS for catching and caring for the Eider until he could be transported to the Alaska SeaLife Center. 

June 18, 2013

April, 12th 2015

The Eider has been tubed a protein and vitamin-rich fluid to re-hydrate him, and is being offered a variety of fish. He is very alert and starting to groom in a pool of water that is part of his enclosure. He has been treated with a anti-parasitic powder for the lice that is gentle on his feathers.

June 19, 2013

April, 12th 2015

 Our handsome Eider is now being force fed fish at his feeds to familiarize him with the sensation of eating fish. He is swimming around well and seems to really enjoy the water.

June 21, 2013

April, 12th 2015

Staff have been tubing the Eider a fish slurry because he had not been eating fish on his own, but today he ate all the fish offered by himself! This is a great step on the road to being released because handling the bird less often means he will be less stressed and heal more quickly.

June 24, 2013

April, 12th 2015

Today staff decided that the Eider's waterproofing has improved enough that we want to encourage him to dive. Mussels were thrown into the bottom of his pool to see if he will dive down after them. As of the evening he has not eaten them, but hopefully they will tempt him to practice diving, a skill that is very important for Eiders foraging in the wild.

July 1, 2013

April, 12th 2015

The Eider has been eating very well, almost everything that has been offered to him. Staff have been weighing him once a day, and he is gaining weight nicely.

July 5, 2013

April, 12th 2015

Staff has seen the Eider diving in his pool, and he has started eating fish from the bottom of his pool regularly. This is a huge step toward his release!

July 9, 2013

April, 12th 2015

Vet staff decided that the Eider is ready for release based on his behavior and blood work. He was flown back to Barrow today. A big thank you goes out to David Safine, a Fish and Wildlife Biologist with the USFWS for being there to release our Eider. David reported that upon release, he watch the Eider fly from pond to pond with a group of other Eiders before flying off toward Elson Lagoon.

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