RMRP Releases Five Raptors in Two Days and  were given A Second Chance At Freedom this week and they all flew off in a blaze of glory.

Here are their stories or rescue, rehabilitation and release:

Sharp-shinned Hawk - On April 13, 2010, RMRP got a call from a concerned woman in Eaton, Colorado. An adult male Sharp-shinned Hawk was down in her back yard and found a very safe hiding place in the bushes. Our rescuers safely captured him and rushed back to RMRP.  The right humerus (upper wing bone) was broken close to the shoulder — a very difficult injury from which to recover. The bird was given emergency care, the fracture was stabilized with a figure 8 wrap, and he was placed in an Oxygen cage. The next day he was moved into a pet carrier inside a Critical Care cage. He was spunky and eating well. The fracture stabilized and the bandage was removed on April 25. The wing was held in good position and had relatively good range of motion. Due to his activity level, he was moved outside to a recovery cage on April 28. After flying laps in his recovery cage, he was moved to a flight cage on May 5. Two weeks of flying practice and it was back to Eaton, where he was released on May 17.

Help Us Help Sharp-shinned Hawks and other Accipiters

Swainson’s Hawk - We got a call on April 19, 2010 from Brush, Colorado, where an adult male Swainson’s Hawk was found with head trauma, multiple wounds and bruises on its head, chest and legs. He was given emergency care and placed in the Oxygen cage. His wounds were cleaned daily. Both eyes were swollen and it looked like his head still hurt. He was not using his right foot and leg normally, which could have been related to his head trauma. He was moved to a Critical Care cage for further observation. He began improving and eating on his own. The swelling around the eyes decreased and he started using his legs well and perching. It was not long before he became very alert. The head trauma and bruising resolved, so the bird was moved outside to a recovery cage on May 1. After a couple of days, he was flying well in a small recovery cage. He moved out to a flight cage on May 5 to gain strength and stamina, and was released on May 17.

Help Us Help Swainson’s Hawks

American Kestrel - An American Kestrel was admitted on April 2, 2010 from east Fort Collins. This unlucky bird had been hit several times by cars before being picked up and brought to us in the coat of a concerned citizen. The bird had evidence of head trauma and an open fracture of the right ulna (forewing bone) He was given emergency care, his fracture was stabilized with a figure-8 bandage, he was given antibiotics for his open wounds. He was placed in the Oxygen cage. He recovered quickly, became very alert and angry, and was transferred to a small Critical Care cage the day after initial treatment. Before long, he was perching and eating well. The fracture began to stabilize and the bandage was removed on April 12. The wound scabbed and healed. He remained confined to a small area to restrict movement, but was active and moving around well. He was moved out to a recovery cage on April 19 to give him more room to exercise. He showed good flight on release to the cage. He flew well and showed good lift. He was evaluated for release, and was released on May 17.

Help Us Help Kestrels and Falcons

Short-eared Owl - A call from Sterling came when an adult Short-eared Owl was found on the ground with head trauma and a fracture of the right scapula (shoulder blade). The bird was given emergency care and the fracture was stabilized with a figure-8 wrap and body band. In addition, the pupils were very dilated and blood was visible in the right eye. Placed in the Oxygen cage after treatment, he became more alert, but still showed visual problems. He was moved to a Critical Care cage and began eating well after a few days. The bird was very active in the Critical Care cage. The bandage was removed from the wing when the fracture stabilized. The wing was being held in good position at rest. Moved out to a small recovery cage on April 19, he continued progressing with the wing being held in good position and showing good flight. He was moved to a flight cage on May 1, and flight continued to improve. He began successful live prey testing on May 4 and was released on May 17.

Help Us Help Short-eared and other Owls

Turkey Vulture - On May 5, 2010, a Turkey Vulture was found beneath a Ft. Collins roost tree. The adult bird had suffered head trauma. He was not using his legs with any strength. The bird was given emergency care and placed in the Oxygen cage.  The bird became more alert and responsive and was moved to a Critical Care cage for observation. He was standing weakly but eating well. When he began showing anger he was moved out to a recovery cage on May 8. He was flying well and was moved to a flight cage on May 10. Before long, he was flying laps around the cage and he was released May 18.

Help Us Help Turkey Vultures

These five successes represent the more than 70% of treatable raptors that get A Second Chance At Freedom because of your support of the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program.