Since I fed squirrels yesterday I decided to take raccoons. I was also still very enraged this morning from last night so I wanted to avoid squirrels completely. I fed them at 8am this morning, four formula but one with solids too, and then was told I was no longer able to feed squirrels for the rest of the internship. Yes its only one day left but this more or less sucks worse then anything and I feel like I kissed my possibility of ever having a job here in the future (if it ever became available anyway...) down the drop. I'm probably over exaggerating but overall I am still highly irate about the situation. After feeding I moved my car to the back parking lot since I am scared to walk to and from the parking lots at night anymore --- This is a story I will have to tell you in person if you are interested; not a story for public blog.
Due to this event I avoided the inside and team work related tasks as much as possible. So I picked solo tasks starting with emptying the water out of Eddie (Bald Eagle) pond, scrubbing off all the green algae from the sides, then refilling it with fresh water. I took some pictures of him while filling the pond - since it took a good 30 minutes or better just to fill it. I think I was out there for an hour at least working on it but at least it was finished. Anyway, I cannot resist taking pictures of this goon anyway. One day everyone needs to meet Eddie, he is just awesome and funny when he makes his "huh huh huh" sound. He's starting to sound like a legit eagle now, slowly but surely, but he's still growing so it makes since that he cannot 100% make the call yet.
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| He will always be my favorite Bald Eagle. |
After this I head back inside and searched for my next task. I intended on cleaning the back room up, since there was stuff everyone and it needed a good sweeping, but a volunteer took care of that already so I just grabbed some bowls and set them on the counter to by washed later. I then decided to grab the bunny green container, now washed, and go outside to pick bunny greens (mainly red clover - I say this since practically everyone wildlife related knows) and then head back inside for a new task again. I think I picked up a tick along the way that's not living in my hair somewhere but not 100% sure if its true or if I am paranoid.
Since my next feeding wasn't until 12pm and it was only about 11am at this time I decided to do some dishes. This carried on for a bit and I ended up feeding at 11:40am rather then 12pm so it was done and out of the way. We took lunch afterwards until 1am. After lunch we grabbed our Snowy Owl and Ethyl the Great Horned Owl and head next door to the vet so that they could look them both over. Snowy's feet have greatly improved to the point she may get moved outside tomorrow!!!! Ethyl's injuries were on the wings and it was mentioned they were bumper injuries; meaning she was recently knocking in the walls. Its a very common injury for birds all together, especially in the wrist joint area, and so it should heal up soon and she should be just fine. We medicated her to help the healing process and will continue to monitor of course. Good news from both, nothing serious.
After appointment I did my 2pm raccoon feeding, giving the one his/her solids, then made more solids afterwards just so I had them. After this I went outside and fed raccoons since the rehabber made their bowls and despite it being almost 3pm. I also spot cleaned their cage while I was out there and filled their water; this and cleaning their bowls took a good half hour. Spot cleaning basically means cleaning up any leftover food and any and all stool that could be found. The raccoons are showing more fear towards humans which is great. Imprint still needs work but even he isn't coming directly to the door as much and is starting to act more like a wild raccoon should so that's progress.
Once they were all cleaned, including the bowls, and I charted everything I discovered there wasn't anything left on the list to do and most of the end of the day cleaning tasks were finished but mopping. So I mopped and then once feedings were finished we were finished until 4pm feeding. So half hour break gave me some time to start working on packing and figuring out what I was going to do tomorrow to make sure I am 100% packed and ready to go home but still had stuff for when I stay at the hotel I am booked with and with Josh's family for fair. I then did 4pm feeding and then later a eastern cottontail came in. He was heavily emaciated though, covered in ticks, and had spinal trauma. We tried to do what we could for the guy - Sub Q (direct fluids to rehydrate) and medication - but sadly it was not able to help him.
Eventually I went out to Hoggie Doggies for the last time with the assistant education director and two interns, one of which is leaving tomorrow, and then we came back just in time for 8pm feeding. After this was over I started working on blog posts and here I am since.
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