Beauty Update - July 12, 2008
In July Beauty continues to thrive under the care of her primary caretaker, raptor biologist Jane Cantwell. She enjoys her salmon which is still being hand fed to her daily. As was originally designed, her first beak has been temporarily removed allowing for inspection, adjustment, and improvement. She seems to understand that we are all trying to help her and never protests. Beauty is molting at this time, a natural process of feather renewal. All raptors replace their feathers in the summer months when food stores are plentiful. This period of time requires a diet of excellent nutrition and vitamin supplementation so the new feathers will be strong and durable throughout the following year. It is a time when minimal stress should be placed upon the bird. For that reason the second phase of Beauty's beak attachment will occur in the fall of 2008.
The second phase will involve specialized X-rays of Beauty's head, the study of a real bald eagle skull, new surgeons added to her team, and innovative materials reviewed for the final beak. Because of the world wide attention that Beauty has received, many experts and manufacturers of advanced materials have come forward to assist in the restoration of Beauty's beak. It remains that the species that attempted to take her life with careless bullet, is the same species that is so committed to her future well being.
We are happy to report that the US Fish and Wildlife Service has authorized that Beauty be added to special permits allowing the use of raptors as teachers. Beauty and Jane will continue to lead people towards personal conservation and stewardship of birds of prey, lecturing on the benefits raptors bring to our ecological systems, and how senseless it is to shoot such magnificent aerial predators!
|
Birds of Prey NW
| P.O. Box 3507, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83816 | Tel:1-208-245-1367
|
