Everything started off at 7am today for some and 8am for others. We had received a call about a guy clipping a Saw-whet owl on the road so we were already scheduled to meet him halfway somewhere for pick up; since we were the closest rehab center and he was still roughly 2 hours away. We also received a call about a fawn that was found cold and alone; the mother was presumed dead meaning it was orphaned. This happened around 11:30pm last night so at some point today either we were picking the fawn up or it was getting brought in.
As quickly as possible all 3 interns working, one intern that was off, and one staff member went through and fed animals, filled charts, and made phone calls. Afterwards the off member, staff member, and I went to pick up the Saw-whet owl while the others stayed behind to answer any more phone calls and work on other things. We went to subway, picked up the saw-whet after enjoying an awesome sub, and made way back. The Saw-whet, for the most part, seemed fine but it's one eye was not dilating right which means it could be non-releasable. This owl, with the Bald Eagle, was going to have to go to REGI in Antigo at some point (a 3 hour drive round trip) and I was the lucky one to take them.
Once we returned back from the saw-whet pick up I believe we did another round of feeding for the seven baby raccoons that we had and listened about other phone calls. I cannot recall what else happened, besides another summer intern showing up, but around 12:30pm we took lunch. Five of us decided to hit up a flea market in St. Germain and so we just ate lunch there as well. We only had an hour so we really did not get the chance to look at everything; only breeze by. Lunch was awesome, I got to try an elk burger for the first time which tasted amazing and I even had some raspberry ice tea to wash it down with. Amazing meal to say the least.
As soon as we arrived back at the center we loaded up the Bald Eagle and Saw-whet Owl to take to REGI. I was off on my way while everyone else stayed behind for a staff meeting. Not sure what happened, who knows if I will even find out any details honestly....., but I was driving. Arrived at REGI to drop off the birds, the Bald Eagle was said to maybe have lead poisoning and though I wanted to stay longer to see the birds I headed back. I was able to see a gloved Great Horn Owl though which was awesome but I overall felt out of place for watching.
Once I arrived back from REGI it seemed as though the day was not over. The staff member was out picking up raccoons while we were waiting for another raccoon to come in that had been hit by a car. I started preparing food for all the patients, except the raccoons who were being taken care of, and managed to feed them before I started doing dishes, disinfecting surfaces, swept, and mopped. Our baby raccoon count went from 7 to 10 I believe and sadly the raccoon that was hit by a car had to be put down to bleeding out the mouth from internal injuries. Her rib cage seemed to be broken in spots and she was gasping for breath so we think she had a punctured lung.
The deer fawn that was cold and such also passed away shortly after arriving at our center. Sadly he was too weak and despite efforts to warm him up he just did not make it. Pulled off some ticks as well and there seemed to be some hair loss so there was a thought that maybe another animal had possibly gotten to him as well.
Aside from all this, I helped feed raccoons and did dishes at some point in the day. Fed them again around 8pm but refused to do dishes this time since I was tired of getting stuck doing them constantly and I knew another intern was doing them a lot too so did not expect her to do them either. It was resolved smoothly and the day then ended with me basically here typing. Everyone else is going out to eat while I cover phone but oh well; honestly want some alone time anyway.
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