Case Study: "LITTLE MEL"  Nestling Orphan - Green Heron #7-773

  
 

Background:	delivered from Kemptville - July 31, 1990 parent killed by car few days prior to rescue marsh nesting site scheduled for construction 'fill in' a few days later
Examination:	severe malnutrition, weak, cold and listless weight 36 grams; height 15 cm (small) no injuries to body, wings or legs
Treatment: Day 1	new 'nest' in donated hospital incubator (great for regulation of humidity  and temperature) diet: 4 small minnows/hour given cautiously on day one, increased to 'demand feedings' as strength improved
Day 14	finally restored to self-feeding but only when firmly and intentionally ignored outside to sun and explore the front yard - accompanied adopting many 'moms' at Centre - shoes, legs, goose, the dog, whatever...you name it - he adopted it! first short flight outside - got lost...BIG PANIC - scoured the neighbourhood calling "tch-tch-tch"...with no luck.   Meanwhile back at the Centre, Mel had 'found' home, wondered why everyone had disappeared, and was wailing "tch-tch-tch" for his long-overdue snack!
Release Day 35:	transfer of fully-feathered Mel to his new home...a pond well-stocked with tasty frogs, minnows and tadpoles.  Despite his unusual up-bringing with several human foster parents, he developed a normal instinct of 'wildness' within the first 2 weeks of his independent freedom.                                                                                      The perfect ending we had hoped for!