reported an injured seagull. The bird was stranded in the bushes near the
lake tangled in a large fishing lure. The hooks on the lure were caught in
the birds mouth and cheek with the other end attached through its wing. The
seagull was unable to fly or to eat. Our ACO located the bird and brought it
to the shelter. The shelter vet, Dr. Canady, was able to anesthetize the
bird long enough to remove the lure. It was quite a task as the hooks were
lodged tightly through the bird. Once disentangled, he was given antibiotics
and placed in a cage for recovery. Since there is a shortage of wildlife
rehabilitators in our area, we kept the bird here for a few days to recover.
Injections of antibiotics were given to ward off infection. After a few days
of treatment and a few good meals (the staff shared their lunches with "Bob
Seagull") he was freed. At first he could not fly because he had not used
his muscles in a few days. After some practice in the fenced in yard he was
able to take flight. He returned to visit a few times to the front yard in
the days following. This bird knows who has the best lunches! It was
definately a new experience for all of us and a happy ending for "Bob
Seagull"!
Good bye!