April 2005

Total amount of visitors this month:  120                                (total this year: 345)

GENERAL NEWS:

April 1^st:  we started with the castration of a semi-stray from Mólivos. The Song-Thrush (05-037; March ’05) will probably remain disabled > there are many tendons damaged in the underarm. In spite of the bleak weather we could continue with the construction of the aviary. At 20.15 o’clock there was a phone-call from Kallonís > an injured Collared Dove. We’ll collect him/her tomorrow.

April 2^nd:  we went to the Agrotikí Stégi in Kallonís with the blind cat “Madeliefje” (= Daisy) for micro-chipping and rabies-vaccination. She will be re-homed in Holland in a fortnight by one of our present volunteers. We gave as well our second cardiac-monitor in loan over there. We came back with an injured Collared Dove. Due to the bad weather it was hardly possible to work in the court-yard; that’s why we prepared already the 5 transport-boxes wherein in the coming days (when it’s possible again for ferries to sail) 5 Buzzards will be transported to our colleague-hospital on Páros. We’ll keep one Buzzard over here.

April 3^rd:  we started with the surgery on the cat “Madeliefje”. During the morning we were able to do something outside (aviary), in spite of the + 5 degrees Centigrade !!

April 4^th:  we discovered the Blue Peacock (05-038; March ’05) dead in his cage. P.M.: rupture of the aorta descendens > the poor creature died because of being over-fat !!

At 10.45 o’clock we had 5 Buzzards in their boxes (03-020, Febr. ’03  from Lafiónas; 03-024, Febr. ’03 from Mytiléne [Airport]; 03-186, Aug. ’03, Gulf of Géras; 03239, Oct. ’03 from Mória and 04-005, Jan. ’04 from Mytiléne). During the siesta we went to Mytiléne and placed them on board of the  “Taxiárchis“ . During the day we were able to do something in the aviary.

April 5^th:   the skeleton of the aviary (including air-lock, but still without the rafters for the laminated roof) is ready for 99%.

April 6^th:  the planned surgeries (1 sterilization & 2 castrations) didn’t happen > there were some “technical problems” in Skála Eressoú. We continued with the aviary > today we worked on the running-water-system. Around midday there arrived an injured Tom-cat from Eressós >  injured on the right front- & rear-leg. The front-leg causes the most trouble, because that leg seems to be lamed. Will be castrated during his stay over here as well.

April 7^th:  during an excursion with both volunteers to the Roman Aqueduct in Mória, the Castle in Mytiléne, the pre-Christian Holy Oak in Pírgi Thermís and the Roman Thermal in Paralía Thermís we used this opportunity to gather some  colored shale for the water-basin in the aviary. Around midday we received a phone-call from a school in Dáfia > they will visit us next Tuesday with 60 children. . . .  !! In the evening there arrived some children with a sheep-lamb > was over-fed and almost dying due to a belly like a kettledrum > the poor soul couldn’t stand anymore and rolled over due to the belly > advised to go to the Vet in the Agrotikí Stégi in Kallonís ! Of course that didn’t happen and the next day the lamb was dead > the owner didn’t want to spend some energy . . . . !!

April 8^th:  we were able to “cover” the whole waterfall with the yesterday discovered shale. Against 6 o’clock we received (again) a phone-call from Pérama > the White Pelican Máki should have again leg-problems > we’ll pick him up tomorrow morning.

April 9^th:  we started with picking-up Máki > seems it might have been worse. The HOUSE-SPARROW from yesterday we discovered during the morning dead in her cage. By the GOAT-LAMB all stitches were removed. In the aviary the wall between the air-lock and the cage has its netting already.  In the afternoon a sick CHICKEN was brought in, and late in the evening, at 23.35 o’clock a HARE was brought-in with a broken leg > so a short night for one of us.

April 10^th:  again we gathered some shale for the aviary. At the end of the morning we had 4 Greek visitors from Mytiléne. We could continue with working in the Aviary.

April 11^th:  in the aviary we have hidden the water-pipes and a part has its netting already. The Hare is stitched for the second time today.

April 12^th:  we started the day with the leg-amputation and the castration of the, on April 5^th taken-in, Tom-cat. All happened without any problems.  Also under a light narcosis we removed the stitches  by the blind cat “Madeliefje” . At 09.30 o’clock we received 56 children & 7 grown-ups from the Primary School in Dáfia. Later in the morning there came a dog with a multiple smashed-in skull ( see further by the second Dog). And in spite of all we managed to fix the netting of the whole front of the Aviary !!

April 13^th:  we started the day with a sterilization & a castration for the Shelter in Skála Eressoú. Together with those two animals a lot of iron & netting was taken to there. We re-fixed the signpost at the cross-road to Ágia  Paraskeví.  We had to “fix” a lot of things “ à la minute”, because one of our volunteers is leaving tomorrow-morning very early, and she is taking the cat  “Madeliefje” (= Daisy) with her. In the afternoon a GOLDFINCH was brought-in.

April 14^th:  at 05.20 o’clock Madeliefje departed for her trip to Holland. We departed at 09.30 to Mytiléne to visit an eye-surgeon > yesterday (repairing the signpost) evidently a little piece of iron had penetrated the cornea of one of Joris’ eyes and that had to be removed > so the coming days visually handicapped (no car-driving any more and so on) and he was, after all, not allowed anymore to “handle” animals, because “animals are dirty; are overfilled with “micróvia”, etc. etc.” If humans ain’t got those !! And such a human names herself “University graduated” !

April 15^th:  started with a trip to Mytiléne to visit the eye-surgeon (of course she was almost half an hour too late). She was able to remove the last piece of iron, but she’s got an microbe-phobia as huge as Westminster Abbey > in every three words at least once one hears the word “micróvia”, and she even wanted to see Joris on Saturday and on Sunday, ( and her practice is closed those days of course!!) > of course not, because the pay-desk is ringing every time quite loud !! On the way back home some plants for the aviaries were bought. Due to the eye-handicap hardly any “production” today. Discovered that the HARE is in reality a WILD RABBIT > so we changed the name in the intake-book.

April 16^th:  started with cleaning & straighten up both court-yards > we’re expecting an excursion of the University, so . . . . . May be we are able to “remove” some stupid prejudices (e.g. about “micróvia”) out of their minds !! After arrival of the “flock” it showed they organized a symposium, with our work as subject > even special posters were made for this occasion !! All together 10 masters & 24 students  !! At the same moment two Scottish people from Parákoila came, bringing stitches and other surgical materials. After the siesta came a Dutch Orchid - & Bird-photographer  > wanted to know where to find some species and took pictures of some Orchids in our court-yard. After 6 p.m. some English/American tourists came to bring us 3 (just born) thrown-away kittens. So a total of 41 visitors today.

The BARN OWL (05-035; March ’05 from Mytiléne) is transferred to the Barn Owl-Aviary in “The Keep” > let’s hope she’ll manage over there.

April 17^th:  the BARN OWL survived her first night in “The Keep”. “Máki” went 100% fit back to Pérama. We took in a baby-kitten from Pétra, a pigeon from the village here and a poisoned dog. Late in the evening (20.35 o’clock) there arrived a cat for observation > should have a bigger head as normal) AND at the same time they told us that a huge Tortoise should walk around in the Wildpark. So at daybreak we’re going and have a look.

April 18^th:  even after twice looking around no tortoise was to be seen, but the grass is pretty high there !! In the morning there arrived a Collared Dove with a broken wing. During the morning busy with the roof of the aviary. In the afternoon 2 visitors from Holland. Around 6 p.m. we took back the BARN OWL (see April 16^th & 17^th ) > showed to have diminished 34 grams !! At 9 p.m. a poisoned puppy was brought in !!

April 19^th:  the poisoned puppy did it well last night, so he can go home today. The SONG THRUSH (05-037; March ’05) was moved over as a disabled bird to the aviary. We received a phone-call about the poisoned dog of April the 17^th: the whole condition isn’t so well anymore, but this was already his 5^th poisoning and he is over 11 years old > probably the liver is damaged further this time. With the dog “JOEL” and the cat “MeiMei” we went to the Agrotikí Stégi  in Kallonís for micro-chipping and rabies-vaccination. We continued on the roof of the aviary.

April 20^th:  started with the castration of two Tom-cats from the Shelter in Skála Eressoú. Later that morning we succeeded in making the roof of the aviary mice- & rat-proof. Printed Dutch leaflets for tourists; the English version is next to come. Late in the afternoon the AFRICAN GREY PARROT (05-039, March ’05) was taken back and the owner was “overloaded” with advices how to treat the bird in a proper way ! During the evening-feeding-round we discovered in “The Keep”, in the aviary of the Little Owls, 4 warm eggs > let’s hope they are impregnated !!

April 21^st:  we were able to print the English leaflets for the tourists. The laminated transparent roof of the aviary is on its place > now only making the waterproof connection to the walls.

April 22^nd:  the BITCH “Maria” ( we reported about her in the past months; 05-002, January ’05 & 05-011, February ’05) left us today to be re-homed in Holland, over where for her is waiting a life without battery-acid, but with a lot of love and tender. On our way back from the airport we were able to save the life (flattening by cars) of a STRIPE-NECKED TERRAPIN (Mauremys caspica) and as well to release the poor soul on a safer spot. Against night-fall we received a phone-call, that “Maria” had arrived safely and already had fraternized with the other dogs.

April 23^rd:  in between the rain-showers we were able to work on the waterproof connection of the roof of the aviary (see April 21^st) and as well on the conduit-pipes of the pump. Received a phone-call from Mólivos about a cat with severe cat-flew > will be brought this afternoon. After the siesta 2 children came with a White Barn Owl with a broken wing. As well a Tom-cat was brought-in > should limp. Nothing was wrong and/or seen from this problem. We removed an anti-parasitic-collar , which was causing severe skin-problems. In stead of this, Cyclio-drops were given. Not in the statistics. Is coming back next month for “removing of the crown-jewels”. At 7.55 P.M. we were “rejoiced” with 5 thrown-away kittens; about 12 days old.

April 24^th:  all 7 intakes of yesterday survived the night !! The little kittens however is feeding every hour !! In between all things that were happening (phone-calls, flowers, presents, congratulations and visitors) we were able to work on the roof of the aviary. Two Dutch visitors today.

April 25^th:  the day was started with the last part of the roof of the aviary > should be waterproof now. Hereafter we could place the pump in the hole we made in the concrete floor. A part of the electric system is made as well. We discovered in the Pigeon-aviary in “The Keep” two baby-pigeons in their nest; born out-of disabled parents. 3 Greek visitors from Zakynthos. They wanted to have some of our baby-tortoises > this is and forbidden, and a “blood-mixture” (every island has genetically its own species), but that wasn’t the reason to refuse; it was no because they had kept some tortoises on their balcony (without any shelter or plants) and those had vanished into thin air . . . . .

April 26^th:  started with preparing the pump and connecting to the pipes. Waiting for some electric materials, we placed first the QUAIL (05-009; January ’05 from Mória) in the aviary; followed by the disabled PIGEON (04-167; July ’04 from Mytiléne) and by the cock-QUAIL (from 2001). At 12 o’clock we had the pump working (after we first had to make a lower flow-opening > the pump didn’t make it till 1 meter !) > for the first time since spring 2001 !! The other birds will follow little by little.

During the day we noticed that there was a severe leakage in the system > we’re loosing water through the shale. So we should find a solution for this problem.

April 27^th:  our last volunteer left us today to give her energy to the Shelter under construction in Skála Eressóu. We started with 3 cats from the same shelter. Hereafter we re-homed several birds from the temporary aviary into the renovated one. Two visitors from Holland, who brought us the own post-cards from the L.W.H. After 5 p.m. we had 2 other visitors from Holland.

April 28^th:  we started the day by re-homing some birds into the new aviary. During the morning-hours we could correct the water-basin and prepare it for the use of polyester . We received a phone-call about an injured big bird of prey close to Mytiléne > we collected the bird.

April 29^th:  the “hardener” for the polyester (we still had, but it was over 20 years old !!) didn’t work, so we had to cover the whole situation and wait till May 3^rd, before we can try to buy it in Mytiléne (if !!). This morning we performed a surgery on the Buzzard as well.

April 30^th:  we started the day with an abortion by the cat with cat-flew. Hereafter we went to Panagioúda to buy polyester & hardener > back home we fixed the water-basin at once. At a quarter past 12 the pump was running “like a train” without any leakage !! Somewhat after 5 p.m. there arrived a knocked down (by a motor-car) PUPPY of about 5 months old > after thorough tests it showed it might have been worse > not in the statistics.  Against 7 p.m. we discovered a severe injured SPARROW in our court-yard.

Kinds of animals who are mentioned like this were for the first time in treatment in the L.W.H.     

Amount of kilometers (Animal-Ambulance) for bringing-in/releasing animals this month 423 (total this year 1058 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 35 [wild ones: 9; others 26], (total this year 081 > : wild ones 027, others 054; total since the start of registration in 1996: 3036),  of which:

DOG (Canis familiaris): 3; the first one about 9 month old animal from Mólivos > both “crown-jewels” were removed. The second was a bit over one year, came from Agiássos and “humans” had tried over there to impress the skull with a blunt subject (hammer ??) > two immense open impression-skull-fractures; one closed ditto in the center of the head and from the right eye-socket we could remove bone-splinters out of the injury on top of the head !! 

Under total-anesthetic we did an “injury-toilet” and for further treatment we could send the dog to the “Animal-Care-Center” in Mytiléne. The right eye of this dog is “gone” for ever and it’s the question if he will make it  > had lost lots of blood and was quite anemic !!  But the woman who discovered the dog, wanted to take care of him, so we did quite normal our best. We received a phone-call the next day that the woman who had brought-in the dog over here, discovered him dead in the  “Animal-Care-Center” (according to what she didn’t say, the dog was left without any care . . . . )

The third came from Mólivos and was poisoned. By the owners themselves already antidote was injected, but the dog didn’t react enough. Among other things he was put on a drip. After 7 quarters of an hour of intensive care the dog could leave, together with the lucky owners. Late in the afternoon we received a phone-call that everything was alright with the dog !!

COLLARED DOVE (Streptopelia decacocto):  2; the first an adult from/via Kallonís > was delivered April 1^st in the evening at the Agrotikí Stégi over there > observation brain-damage. Went April 23^rd to the Aviary for flying-practice. The second was discovered by the School in the village here > open fracture right wing (Humerus) > stitched & splinted.

CAT (Felis catus): 3; the first from the L.W.H. > “Madeliefje” (= Daisy; 04-240; October ’04) > by both eyes the eye-lids were removed and the holes were stitched. Moved over to Holland in the meantime. The second was the cat from our (almost 12 years old) Greek friend Násja > should have a bigger head as normal and vomited more than a day > taken-in for observation (due to the time: 8.35 p.m. !). Was probably an insect-bite or –sting > next day back home 100% OK. Number three was a (still) nameless stray from Mólivos > very pregnant and a severe cat-flew. After the end of the antibiotics she was sterilized > 4 almost fully developed kittens were removed and she can never become pregnant again.

TOM-CAT (Felis catus): 1 about one year old creature from Eressós > probably bitten (when one sees the injuries). Right front-leg (pulse) seems to be lamed and he has a huge biting-injury on the right rear-leg. Taken in for observation and treatment. Will be castrated in any case and we hope an amputation of the right front-leg won’t be necessary . . . . Because the leg remained lamed, it’s amputated on April 12^th. As well he is castrated. Half of the stitches are removed April the 17^th. The other stitches will disappear automatically. Went April 28^th late in the afternoon back to the place where he was used to be fed.

KITTENS (Felis catus): 9; the first three (1-2) just born from Skála Kallonís > 1 day old > put down. The second came from Pétra, had just opened his eyes and was (of course) thrown-away > so we are going to give it a try. Succeeded for exactly 4,5 hours and then “promoted” himself to Owl-fodder. The next five were “delivered” in the evening > from our village and, so to see, born close to our house. Because they already had opened their eyes, we’re going to give it a try.

HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus): 2; the first a female from Ágia Paraskeví > > nylon line around the right leg and the left leg has an inborn defect > so the prognosis isn’t so well . Discovered the day after intake dead in her cage. The second, a male, was discovered against 7 p.m. in our court-yard; was severe injured > will probably not stand the night.

WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus): 1 adult male from Pérama, Máki. Was here last month as well > should have again leg-problems > it might have been worse. So we started again buying fish for 32 Euro (8,3 kilo).  Went the 17^th in a good condition back to Pérama.

CHICKEN (Gallus gallus dom.) : 1 quite young one from Ágia Paraskeví > probably “New-Castle-Disease”, so no therapy possible. After a good talk to the owner, we decided to put down the poor animal. The chicken was only some days in her position and was bought from gypsies !!

Wild Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) > was brought-in as a HARE: 1 quite small one from Tartí > probably a fracture of the right rear-leg. There was as well an immense skin-injury on the same leg > stitched. 

So to see, it has been a traffic-accident. At the feeding-round in the afternoon we discovered another huge skin-injury on the same leg > we’ll try to close that injury tomorrow.  We noticed the 24^th that indeed there has been a fracture of the right femur. The skin-injuries are closed in the meantime.

STRAY CATS (Felis catus): 7 from the Shelter in Skála Eressoú ; the 5 Tom-cats were “de-fathered” , the first cat “lost” 5 proto-kittens and the second was “normally” de-mothered.

GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis): 1 (probably) female from Ágia Paraskeví > discovered in the streets (didn’t fly away) > so observation. Was discovered the same day at 19.35 o’clock; laying on her back and died one minute later. Was bone- & bone-thin.

PIGEON (Columba livia dom.): 1 white “Peacock” from Ágia Paraskeví > is tumbling and exhausted. Probably cerebral > put under antibiotics.

PUPPY (Canis familiaris): 1 about 7 months old, male long-hairy “toy”, “Sam”. Was poisoned!! Is from our village and is always very friendly when he meets us (going for a walk with the battery-acid-dog “Maria”). It took us 3 quarters of an hour before we had him a little bit on his legs again. Stayed for the night. Was taken back late in the afternoon and will not go out for a walk anymore without a muzzle.

WHITE BARN OWL (Tyto alba alba): 1 from Agia Paraskeví > fracture and/or dislocation of the right shoulder. There was a torsion of 180 degrees > the wing was brought back in the good position and a hanging cast was given.

  After we studied the taken picture better (see arrow), we had the idea there should can be an open fracture > indeed. Stitched with 1 stitch.

BUZZARD (Buteo buteo): 1 quite grown-up bird from somewhere around Mytiléne > very complicated (open) fractures of the right elbow; already some days old. First give the bird a pepping-up and afterwards we’ll have a further look what can be done. Our informant in Holland, Mr. Ben Steinfort , could tell us after having seen the pictures and the measurements, that the bird is a young male.

Performed a surgery under total anesthetic the day after intake > showed to be a very old fracture of the Humerus (upper-arm), which was already totally wrapped up. We prepared free the both pieces of bone and put them together again. Let’s hope it will grow together in quite a proper way.