April 2007

LOG-BOOK:

News about the Bird-flu is in red and about the environment in blue

April 1^st:  the cat with the eye-/ear-tumor started this morning to spur and (carefully, because it is very painful) to rub her head against our hand. At 8.18 a.m. a phone-call from Skála Polichnítos about a cat which should have something in her throat > one will pass-by, because this probably should be examinated under a total anesthetic. And they were here at around a quarter to ten > see further at TOM-CAT. In the House-next-door almost the last (only the lamp outside the entrance-door should be done yet) part of the electricity was completed. We have discovered that there is in the face of the “tumor-cat” an immense suppurating injury in the right cheek; so we started with antibiotics. In the pen for the Marginated Tortoises the water-bowl is placed and some more green is planted. At the beginning of the afternoon 2 visitors (from Hotel Pasiphae) from Skála Kallonís, who wanted more contact in the coming months about our work and the protection of nature. After the siesta started with clearing away of old electricity-cables, sockets, pipes etc: 2 full garbage-bags we could bring away.

April 2^nd:  our Hoopoe (06-113; June 21^st ’06), which we could keep alive whole winter, isn’t doing well: since 2 days there isn’t eaten anymore and even force-feeding is without result. So the prognosis . . . . ?? We could connect the lamp outside the entrance-door of the House-next-door.

Release:

At 9.48 we could give back freedom to our Black-headed Gull (07-035; March 21^st ’07): flying was very well and walking was difficult, but sufficient.

Today was the weekly “meat cutting-day”: together 10.675 kilo of meat, liver & minced-meat (total amount 71,13 Euro) was processed. Total this year 173,99 kilo for 1051,51 Euro.

We are dieing of shame to read this about Holland:

From the Internet:

Knocked down wild animals killed at once  Edited: April 2^nd 2007 6:53 a.m.

AMSTERDAM – Knocked down wild animals in the province of Gelderland will not be rescued anymore but shot by a game-keeper. This is confirmed by the police after the (political) Party for the Animals had beaten the alarm.

In the past animal-ambulances were called in when an animal was knocked down. However, to prevent the animals from suffering too long, they will be shot at the spot.

According to the Party for Animals hunters in some communities will receive a reward per every removed animal. In the community of Epe hunters should receive 50 Euro per animal. The Party says having the suspicion that as well young animals, of which the mother is killed, will be killed off. The Party wants to receive a clarification from the Minister.

Is the amount per killed-off animal, which those “hunters” are receiving, of more importance than the possible chance an animal can recover ??

April 3^rd:  the little Marginated Tortoise was 95 gram this morning. There is a little improvement in the injuries of the “tumor-cat”. The whole morning busy with the project for Hotel Pasiphae (see April 1^st).

April 4^th:  with the last remnants rush-mat (rescued from an aviary in the late Wildpark) we were able to create some more wind-free places in the aviary of the Peregrines.

Release:

We were able to release very well the Buzzard which came in February 7^th (07-016) > was flying and gliding at once !!

Today we have signed the notarial act of sale for the House-next-door. At ± 10.50 a.m. a phone-call from the police about a dog which should be severe injured. So we waited and waited till at last the police arrived . . . . without the dog !! It showed to be a big Setter-like dog which was laying on the streets already for days. With muzzle & gloves we walked towards the dog: dog was good approachable and showed pain while we checked the right rear-leg. Walking with the dog in our arms  ( . . . . ± 40 kilo + !!) we went to the Town-Hall and put him on the grass over there. It showed to be a very old male (needed urgently dentures) and the print of his collar was still visible in the neck > so he was “dumped” !! The injury showed to be in the right hip-joint. The Municipality should take further care for the dog (European Legislature) and such was told as well by the police to the municipal officials. We have given the phone-number of the Animal-lovers Society, provided for food & water (a kilo-tin of meat-chunks was swallowed up), given a collar and fastened him with a piece of rope till he could be picked-up. All together 1 hour of exertions . . . . Not in the statistics. And except assisting with the dog,  Diane was busy the whole day with cleaning the House-next-door, because tomorrow she is leaving after a for her successful practice-period. At 4.25 p.m. the dog wasn’t anymore present in the garden of the Town-Hall, so . . . . ?? Meanwhile we could contact (quite difficult) the owner of the Turkish Carrier-Pigeon (07-033; March 15^th ’07) > will be extended tomorrow.

April 5^th:  at 5.20 a.m. Diane left in the rain for the plane to Holland. The little Marginated Tortoise was 97 gram this morning. We could stop the registration of Peregrine III (07-017; February 13^th ’07); he is eating on his own in the aviary. In the morning busy in the House-next-door making of the two half parts of a bunk bed again one: it only should be fastened quite well to the wall, because it’s wobbling quite a bit. As well another bed was dismantled, brought to the 1^st floor and again assembled for the trainees to come. And even before the siesta we had fastened the bunk bed as firm as a rock.

From the Internet:

Water levels retreat

Threat of irrigation problems keeps some farmers off the land

A dry winter has resulted in many farmers choosing not to plants crops this season as parts of the country are due to face severe water shortages over the summer. According to Agricultural Ministry data seen by Kathimerini, underground water levels, which are replenished every year by snowfall, are currently as low as they were at the end of last summer.

Indicative of the winter’s dry spell is the low snowfall and rainfall recorded in the northwestern Pindus mountain region, which dropped to 10 percent of normal annual levels. The Pindus mountain range extends from Macedonia and Epirus to central Greece. The biggest water problems are expected to emerge this summer in Thessaly, eastern Greece and eastern Macedonia, ministry data showed. Recent rainfall in Bulgaria has provided some relief to parts of Macedonia with water levels in the Ardas River improving.

A senior ministry source told Kathimerini that the time has come for Greece to upgrade its water network and improve the efficiency of water management. However, few steps have been taken in this direction. The country’s water network is considered to be old, leaky and costly to maintain.

The European Commission has pulled up Greece over its lack of a complete water management policy. With a year’s delay, Athens submitted a report to Brussels on the quality of water in the country but sources said the paper was missing vital information.

In the central Peloponnese, farmers in Arcadia have decided to plant only 300 hectares of farmland this year as opposed to the regular 1,000 hectares sown every year. Locals estimate that water levels are currently what the area normally sees during the September-October period. In the western Peloponnese’s Ileia district, farmers will be turning away from their farms this year but this is due to the adoption of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. The change is expected to result in a drop in local water consumption of between 30 and 50 percent.

April 6^th:  we were able to open the abscess under the ear of the Cat with the eye-tumor and the ear-injury (07-039; March 30^th ’07) and lots of pus came out. It now seems that there are two separated processes: a) an eye-tumor with a loss of sight in the other eye as well, and b) huge injuries in the face with a half ripped-off ear, which is all very infected. This could be due to a bite-injury (dog ??). The whole morning busy making the landing of the 2^nd floor of the House-next-door (stairs going upwards and going downwards) child-safe and cat-friendly (we couldn’t continue with the last new cage, because the grey anti-rust paint is coming after Easter !)

Coming back from this, we discovered our BLUE ROCK-THRUSH laying on the bottom of the Aviary, half scalped > probably attacked by the male Black-Bird. See further over there.

April 7^th:  the little Marginated Tortoise was 98 gram this morning. Busy in the House-next-door making things better than they were before (closing of cupboard-doors etc ).

April 8^th:  the Marginated Tortoise had eaten 1 gram yesterday ! The whole morning busy with cupboard-doors, which couldn’t be closed well for more than 80 years, making them close well. At 10.25 a.m. a phone-call from Douglas & Janice from Parákoila about a Great- or Blue Tit, which should be fallen from the nest; they should come and bring the bird. And she arrived at 10.58 a.m. > an adult female GREAT TIT > see over there.

April 9^th:  we discovered dead at 5.40 a.m. this morning the yesterday taken-in Great Tit. The Marginated Tortoise had reached the first “milestone” > was 100 gram this morning. We have discovered that there is a deformation of the left rear-leg (foot-part) of the “Eye-&-ear-cat”. The injury of the half ripped-off ear is cleaning day by day. The whole morning busy (the two of us) in the living of the House-next-door: the wire gauze (which had been in our living) was made to fit in the window over there: in spite of the two houses are a reverse of each other this won’t mean that the windows are a reverse of each other. In any case not qua measures !! The old shutters were demolished and the still useful parts (iron) were kept aside; the wood is for the rubbish-dump. As well the whole supply of bed-sheets, pillow-cases, towels and (left behind by trainees & volunteers) clothes was sorted out and properly stored in handy plastic crates (which otherwise are thrown-away by the green-grocer!). In the evening after eight our secretary María Karapolíti was in the court-yard with 2 thrown-away (male) puppies from about 8 weeks old: if we couldn’t take some photographs and place them on the Internet, because maybe people wanted to have those doggies . . . . ?? We have removed some ticks from inside the ears and further they are as healthy as could be, so . . . . ?? Not in the statistics.

April 10^th:  we discovered moribund at 6.38 a.m. on the floor of the crow-aviary the (ex-juvenile) Hooded Crow (06-112; June 21^st ’06) from Plomári. Had been suffering already for a long time with a malignant grow of the horny skin of the legs, which made walking quite impossible and which wasn’t removable. After breakfast we performed a surgery to the cat with the eye- & ear-problems: the ear could be restored (although a beauty-contest is further excluded) and the eye was removed.

And while on one side of the Hospital there was “cutting in an alive cat”, at the other side Douglas & Janice (for the present for the last time) were together with Ineke busy with the weekly “meat-cutting-day”: 11,085 kilo of meat, liver & minced meat (with a total amount of € 74,51) were processed. Total this year 185,075 kilo for € 1126,03. After the siesta it showed that the cat, we named “Rag-ear” by the way, had evidently less problems with the head-injuries. She has eaten well already and is purring constantly. At 5.50 p.m. two beginning adolescent-girls with a Canary-bird, which should have a broken leg. It showed to be that due to tóó long nails the bird had ripped-off the thumb-too of the left foot (got stuck). Remaining nails were clipped. Not in the statistics.

April 11^th: the yesterday operated “Rag-ear” had had a good night and was screaming loudly for food at 5.40 a.m. She was eating well at the spot, but started to tumble at 6 a.m. Cerebral ?? At 8.02 a.m. the respiration stopped . . . . P.M.: the head had an immense tumor (with infiltrates) which had grown into the internal ear (labyrinth). Opening the body it showed to be she was pregnant (2 fetuses). The intestines etc. were without problems. Opening the thorax first a very enlarged hart (both atria were overfilled) was visible, and further were the lungs very faded and spotted. So this had been in any case a lost battle. After the breakfast the whole morning busy finding a short-circuit in the electricity-system of the Central Heating > at last it showed to be in the pump. The installer is warned and he will pass-by (today or otherwise tomorrow . . . . ??). So for the time being no warm water.

April 12^th:  the little Marginated Tortoise was 102 gram this morning. At 8.28 a.m. arrived the former stray “Luca” which was loving taken-in by Jeroen & Melanie from Pétra. One hour later he left; 20 gram less on the scale. See further at DOG. And after this surgery we continued to make the stairs in the House-next-door safer for children; we used for this still useful parts of removed shutters. At 10.28 a.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne from the practice of Vet Myrsíni Tourvalí: “at what time one could send a pigeon?” Agreed for the coach of 1.15 p.m. And in our hands we had the bird at 2.01 p.m. > see further at PIGEON.  At 4.30 p.m. we had the foot-bridge over the roof of “The Keep” (necessary to clean the window over there) measured and cut. So tomorrow painting etc. At 6 p.m. a new pump was placed in the Central Heating and so we had warm water again. We could make as well appointments to make at the end of the summer a connection to the House-next-door, only that on the first place there will be placed in the living a radiator. The bedrooms should wait a bit longer, but for the winter to come there exist blankets and quilts.

April 13^th:  the body-weight of the little Marginated Tortoise was 104 gram this morning. The new Pigeon is eating well. And exactly at 11.30 a.m. the new foot-bridge over the roof of “The Keep” was painted, assembled and fastened on its place. After we were connected with ADSL (that exists since a wile on the island here as well !!) it showed to be, that we had an immense interference on the many telephones which were connected to that line; even so much that talking to someone was impossible from those secondary phones. In 7 quarters of an hour this fault was remedied and everything is working now like it should be; trouble-free !! Long live the thorough schooling at the Signal Corps deep in the past !! Just before the siesta some visitors; asked if they could come back after 3.30 p.m. And so they did: 4 visitors from Mesótopos, of whom the man in the past had delivered some birds to us. And at 9.29 p.m. a phone-call from our First-Aid-Station in Thessalonica about a Pigeon with problems. One had to “fly really low” to get the bird in time on board of the ferry, because that ship should sail at 10 p.m. !! So we’re going to pick-up the bird tomorrow in the afternoon.

April 14^th:  it looks like that our juvenile Collared Dove (07-036; March 24^th ’07) not has fallen at all out of the nest, but wittingly is thrown out by the parents !! So a “nest-misfit”, which hardly can stand on its feet. So wait and see what will (must ??) happen. The House-next-door was prepared for the arrival of the two new trainees, Saskia Lubbers & Monique Vu, who are expected tonight. All wooden remnants of the old shutters went up in smoke in a nice fire. And at 1.37 p.m. we had om board of the “Penélope” the announced PIGEON in our possession > see further over there. And around 9.30 p.m. arrived both new trainees.

April 15^th: after a tour around & breakfast a PM was done on the Pigeon from Thessalonica > see over there.

16 april: Release:

at 7.41 a.m. is released well the Collared Dove (06-214; October 19^th ’06), which had flown into a window quite hard > was flying well. At 8.47 a.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about a young Pigeon, which should have been fallen from the nest (??) > will be send by coach. Today was the first “meat-cutting-day” for both new trainees and under the inspired supervision of Ineke 10,010 kilo of meat, liver and minced meat was processed (total amount of 66,50 Euro).  Total this year 195,085 kilo for 1192,53 Euro. For the first time this went quite well, although one of them tried to do her best making the amount of processed meat 10,015 kilo in stead of 10,010 kilo . . . . (au !!). There is started with painting grey the iron profiles for the last pen which can and will be built. We haven’t heard anymore about the juvenile Pigeon > probably too much trouble.

April 17^th:  the little Marginated Tortoise was 105 gram this morning. At 9.10 a.m. the basement for the last pen was laid and both ladies had gained experience in working with blind rivets  (. . . . !!). After breakfast there was continued, but forced by a cold wind there was stopped prematurely. In stead of both trainees had a small excursion: partially cultural (the early-christian Basilica) and partially environmental ( the local rubbish-dump, where with wide open eyes and firmly closed noses was “enjoyed” how the locals here are ruining their own environment).

April 18^th:  we discovered early this morning very cold, very stiff & very dead the juvenile Collared Dove (07-036; March 24^th ’07). In spite of the carpenter’s coming to replace 5 windows (and we all had to assist), we succeeded in fastening the corner-standers of the last pen; including the supporting irons. After the siesta first the rubbish of demolished windows was removed, hereafter another part of the pen could be constructed and even after seven p.m. again the rubbish of two other demolished windows was removed, after first having assisted the carpenter in placing those windows several meters above ground-level. At 8 p.m. at last it was done for today . . . . (from 4.50 a.m. !!)

April 19^th:  the little Marginated Tortoise was 106 gram this morning. We ourselves started with removing the last window, and when the carpenter arrived there was only an empty hole. This gave us the possibility sorting out all rubbish and loading it into the car for dumping on the rubbish-dump. Hereafter all of us cleaned the “mess” inside and outside the house, gathered still useful parts and burn the rest.  At 5 p.m. the carpenter was ready for today > is coming tomorrow only fixing the locks for the shutters and bringing the wire gauzes.

April 20^th:  the little Marginated Tortoise had gained weight with one gram yesterday. At 12.05 p.m. the skeleton for the new pen for Hedge-hogs etc was ready for 95%. Ín the siesta a phone-call from Roeselare (Belgium) about a term of probation for someone on bachelor-level > unfortunately we had to answer that we’re “full” for this year, but that maybe there should be chances for next year. At 4.20 p.m. everything, what was constructed this morning, was painted grey and all iron-curls were removed.

April 21^st:  thanks to the removed old windows we could replace some broken windows in the House-next-door. Hereafter some shutters (which were “overlooked” > more than 1.80 m high . . . !!) could be demolished and some still useful parts could be put aside. A huge part of the roof of “The Keep” was cleaned and possible for draining again. Hereafter all remnants of drilling in iron, sawing, grinding etc were removed. The Pigeon from Mytiléne is starting (thanks to 3 times a day physiotherapies) using the left leg again. Our out-door cat “Foúrno” had been able this morning to catch where she had been lying in wait for days: we discovered a killed (by her) Dahl’s Whipsnake (Coluber najadum) of 58 cm on the spot where she had been laying in wait for the last days. After 6 p.m. the first money for the purchase of the House-next-door was given in the hands of the (now former) owners. Thursday to the notary.

April 22^nd:  the little Marginated Tortoise was 108 gram this morning. We have started with the netting of the pen for Hedge-hogs. And while during a coffee-break outside in the sun all three ladies enjoyed this with puckered legs, 6 White Storks were circling above our heads !!

April 23^rd:  it has been blowing soo hard last night, that the holly in the peregrine-aviary was blown down > so we have to fasten it today. We had to take back from the Little Owl-cage in “The Keep” a disabled Little Owl: was soaking wet and completely supercooled. As well a leg-injury was treated and too long talons were clipped. Not in the statistics. Today again the weekly “meat-cutting-day” and in total 9,380 kilo of meat. liver & minced meat was processed (a total amount of 61,49 Euro). Total this year 204,465 kilo for 1254,02 Euro. In spite of the stiff wind we could continue with the netting of the last pen. During the “evening-feeding-round” we discovered that in the aviary of the Little Owls in “The Keep” there were produced 2 eggs > this is conform with the time last year when we discovered March 30^th little owlets (breeding-time is 28 days). At 6.20 p.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about a (very) young Swallow, which should be fallen from the nest > one had visited already a Vet to buy special food . . . .  However, it probably is a “nest-misfit”, which as well is too small (still no feathers), but we can’t disappoint those people, can we ?? At 7.40 p.m. a phone-call that they were leaving from Mytiléne at that moment. And at 8.10 p.m. a phone-call that they were returning home, because the birdie meanwhile had left for heaven . . . .

April 24^th:  the little Marginated Tortoise was 109 gram. In the aviary of the Little Owls the female is sitting dreamy on three eggs. At almost 9 a.m. a former stray Tom-cat from Mólivos arrived > see further at TOM-CAT. The two bearers were showed around as well. At 11.55 a.m. the 4 walls of the Hedge-hog-pen were closed and the new iron was painted grey. Now only the bowed part, protecting against climbing-out should be made. And after more than one hour and a half, at least 12 signatures from us, from the (former) owner of the House-next-door, from 2 Lawyers and from the Notary, the House-next-door is on our name. Now “only” the financial part of the deal must be fixed . . . . !! All feedings were perfectly taken-over by both trainees !! At 9.01 in the evening quite a special new patient was brought-in, which according to the locals of course . . . . should be killed . . . . !! See further (for this for us new kind) at LESSER MOLE RAT.

April 25^th:  the new Mole rat was still alive this morning and is eating well. Meanwhile we started with a (local) treatment with Lindane (anti-scabies). At 11.35 a.m. the skeleton of the bowed part was ready & painted. And at 11.45 a.m. all three ladies departed for the official inauguration of a bird-watchers-observation-post at the Salines, whereafter a visit was made to Hotel “Pasiphae”. Here is a special project for making us more known under the birdwatchers and both trainees will spend over there next week some time. After the siesta they phoned us from the island of Ikaría about the rearing of young Hedge-hogs > as good as possible advices were given. Hereafter 2 Dutch visitors, who astonished watched the Mole Rat and took pictures of her. And just after they had left, an English “Birdwatchers-safari” brought-in an injured GLOSSY IBIS > see over there. And at 6.50 p.m. a young woman (with a lot of little children around her) was at the door with the request if we could look after a young . . . . . rabbit of her, which had diarrhoea. She came again (with all the children) at 7.12 p.m. with 2 young rabbits, of which indeed one had diarrhoea > that one is taken-in and put on special food. The other is taken back home again. See further at RABBIT.

April 26^th:  all was still alive this morning. The little Marginated Tortoise was 112 gram. The Glossy Ibis is fed willingly and isn’t vomiting. Normal droppings were discovered in the cage of the little Rabbit. The Mole Rat is eating like a lion. We received the message from Holland (Mr. Ben Steinfort) that our Glossy Ibis is a female. At 8.45 a.m. a phone-call from the Vet Myrsíni Tourvalí in Mytiléne, that she will send by coach from 11 a.m. a juvenile Pigeon. We’re expecting today a group of students from Athens, who want to visit the hospital. And they arrived: a group of 24 students (most of them completely un-interested !!) and 4 escorts-adults. And at 11.50 a.m. we had a juvenile CARRIER-PIGEON in our hands > see further over there. And according to our 2 trainees the little rabbit is a female. At the evening-feeding-round we discovered 4 eggs in the nesting-box of the broody Little Owl. After 7 p.m. some phone-calls from Mytiléne about a Pigeon (??) with a broken wing > will be send by coach (if everything is going according to plan) tomorrow. We have informed the organizer of the school-excursions that we don’t appreciate in the future this kind of visitors !!

April 27^th:  we only can find normal droppings in the cage of the little rabbit. It showed to be that the scabies-spot on the face of the Mole Rat was covering an abscess > opened and pus removed (she didn’t like that so much !!). Treatment with Lindane was stopped and started with Dermisol-cream. The Glossy Ibis had made from her closed fracture meanwhile an open fracture: some bone-splinters could be removed and the injury was closed with 2 surgical staples. The prognosis for a good release is diminished a lot now. The Pigeon (07-044; April 12^th ’07) was transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” > was flying at one and was sitting later quite well on one of the roosts against the was > was using the left leg well. The three of us have continued with the pen for the hedge-hogs: the door is made and fastened as well. We discovered our female Quail (05-009; January 30^th ’05) pecked to death by the male Black-bird. And at 3 p.m. the Quail-cock, but he was still alive at that moment. The male Black-bird was caught and removed from the aviary.

Release:

In spite of his handicap we had to release the male Black-bird, which was with us from before we left our former location. He was one-eyed, but due to his behavior not any longer to maintain.

We received several phone-calls about a flushed-ashore Turtle on the beach of Paralía Thermís. Because this creature was dead already, we transferred this case to the Limenarchío (Coast Guard). 

From the Internet:

Greeks fear climate change

Most Greeks believe that climate change is a threat to their environment and nearly half intend to change their ways to curb the damage being wreaked, according to an opinion poll whose results were made public yesterday.

A total of 87 percent believe that climate change will have a negative impact on Greece, according to the poll carried out by VPRC on behalf of the environmental group WWF Hellas and Ethniki Insurance.

More than half (56 percent) of the 1,000 people polled expressed concern about dwindling water resources and the risk of drought, while 23 percent worries about rising temperatures.

The country’s agricultural sector is likely to be the hardest hit by future changes, according to 81 percent of respondents.

More than half (55 percent) blamed the government for the current situation, with 24 percent saying that big industry was responsible. Four of 10 called for stricter inspections on manufacturers.

“Citizens believe that industry is to blame and it is true that 54 percent of the greenhouse gases in this country are attributable to 150 firms,” said VPRC’s Managing Director Yiannis Mavris during a public presentation of the poll’s result.

A total of 75 percent of respondents said that measures to curb climate change should be implemented on an international level.

Only two in 10 said they trusted the media to inform them about climate change, with only 3 percent trusting the government to brief them. More than a third (36 percent) said they trusted academics’ statements, with 24 percent putting their faith in non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

But the poll indicated that a large proportion of Greeks are prepared to change their daily habits in order to contribute to curbing the effects of greenhouse gases. Five in 10 said they would reduce their energy consumption over the next year, four in 10 said they would start buying energy-saving devices and more than three in 10 said they would use their cars less. “Greeks are starting to grasp the concept of taking personal responsibility for solving this problem,” said WWF Hellas Director Dimitris Karavelas.

Around the evening-feeding-round 2 Dutch visitors. We had to amputate the wing of the Glossy Ibis > she was making such a mess out of it, that it was inevitable. After the amputation we could see very well in how many splinters and pieces the humerus had changed.

April 28^th:  we were astonished that all patients were still alive this morning . . . !! The “Hot Spot” on the face of the Mole rat is starting cleaning up. At 11.45 a.m. all the netting of the hedge-hog-pen was fastened and all metal-curls etc. were removed. Now only the “knitting-together” of the two parts of netting. Meanwhile we have understood that the woman of the pigeon with the broken wing (see April 26^th) had been too “nuts” sending the bird by coach and that she had delivered today the bird at the practice of a Vet in Mytiléne. Over there they can’t do anything, so the pigeon can be at the earliest next Monday over here > then it’s too late to do something with that wing . . . . !! At 5.50 p.m. 2 children with a baby-chicken (bought from gypsies) which should be ill > nothing (yet . . . !!) could be diagnosed. The poor soul was only fed with bread . . . !! Not in the statistics. At 7.45 p.m. both trainees reported that they had seen a forlorn little kitten in the streets which was mewing heavily, and another one which was dead already. So we went for a look and indeed, there was a dead very emaciated kitten alongside the road. The 2^nd wasn’t anymore in the bushes, but was hiding in a barn with the door completely locked. With many efforts (and breaknecked actions) we could catch the kitten. See further at KITTEN.

April 29^th:  after a short night (“Sámo” had to drink and to wee at 3.40 a.m. . . . !!) tried to control everything, but that was more suffering, because all bitches were delirious and refused to eat > wanted to see the kitten ! From all cats there was only one which was eating normally > so the excitement is complete !! At 10.45 a.m. the hedge-hog-pen had its substratum, sand was brought in and some stumps were placed as cage-enrichment.

At 1.40 p.m. a phone-call from our secretary, María Karapolíti, who had a cat which possibly had eaten a poisoned mouse. She passed-by and Atropine & Apomorphine were given in case of. Not in the statistics. After removing our garbage we have taken away from the streets the dead brother of “Sámo”.

April 30^th:  we were able to sleep until 4.30 a.m. !! The little Marginated Tortoise was 114 gram early this morning. The Mole Rat is quite a “house-trained” one: she has made a nest and is using only one corner of the cage as a toilet . Today was “meat-cutting-day” again and together 10,530 kilo of meat, liver & minced meat (total amount 70,52 Euro) was processed. Total this year 214,465 kilo for 1324,54 Euro. We received a delegation (7 people plus the guide) of the group of British Bird-watchers, who had brought-in the Glossy Ibis. After the siesta 2 Dutch visitors. At 8.50 p.m. a phone-call from our 1^st Aid-Station in Thessalonica about a Collared Dove, caught by a cat: from one leg all digits were missing, there was something wrong with a wing and the head was hanging. By a Vet over there one single injection with antibiotics was given (and of course the wrong kind: no Lincospectin !!), and due to the celebrations around May 1^st it was impossible to obtain this at short notice, so . . . . ??

Total amount of visitors this month:  052                      (total this year: 124)

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 115 (total this year 0571 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 13 [wild ones: 08; others 05], (total this year 052 > : wild ones 027, others 025; total since the start of registration in 1996: 3595),  of which:

TOM-CAT (Felis catus): 2; the first was a  “you-know-ex” one from Skála Polichnítos: should have something in the throat which caused problems. Under a total anesthetic (and during vomiting already a “fiber” came out) we were able to remove deep in the pharynx again such a fiber > showed to be from grass-seed. He was vaccinated as well. The 2^nd was loving taken-in in Mólivos, but was starting to be a little bit too dominant. “Playing Football” is still possible, but scoring not any more.

BLUE ROCK THRUSH (Monticola solitarius): 1 from the Aviary of the LWH; is 98-270 and came in September 9^th 1998 in Loutrópolis Thermís. Now attacked and half scalped (by male Black-Bird ??). Injury stitched, but the condition isn’t so well: and been laying for . . . . . long with that open head-injury in the sun. Came in at 11.50 a.m. and gave his last breath at 12.57 p.m.

GREAT TIT (Parus major): 1 adult female from Parákoila > was caught by a cat. Was missing all the tail-feathers and the right wing was hanging > over there a small bite-injury. Antibiotics were injected and further wait and see. (see as well April 9^th).

DOG (Canis familiaris): 1 from Pétra. Was successfully “de-fathered” and left the LWH wagging his tail, but 20 gram less on the scale.

PIGEON (Columba livia dom.): 2; the first came from/via Mytiléne. Apparently hit by a car or something else: is missing almost all tail-feathers, on the back most of the feathers were missing and the left leg, although there seems to be no fractures, isn’t used properly. So observation. (see as well April 27^th). The 2^nd came from Thessalonica and should have an overfilled crop and as well a swollen belly. Both symptoms were not discovered by us, because 3 minutes after we had accepted the bird in a box on board of the ferry, it showed to be a dead corpse (already hours before). PM: showed to be a female, with too much “pigeon-milk” in the crop. Due to vomiting she has choked herein ultimately. Wasn’t capable to walk due to the loss of more than half of the toes due to cotton which was rapped around.

Lesser Mole Rat (Nannospalax leucodon): 1 female from the village here ; was discovered in the streets and should (of course !!) . . . . . be killed at once ! Luckily this could be prevented and this complete harmless vegetarian was brought over here. She has in any case scabies on the head.

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus): 1 adult from the Salines; brought-in by a whole safari of English Birdwatchers (at least 2 mini-busses full). The bird probably had hit an electricity-cable > closed fracture of the humerus (is splintered) and a skin-injury on the throat.

RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus dom) : 1 juvenile from our village > diarrhoea. Is put on special food. Further wait & see.

CARRIER-PIGEON (Columba livia dom.): 1 juvenile from/via the Vet Myrsíni Tourvalí from Mytiléne > is bone-thin.

QUAIL (Coturnix coturnix): 1 cock from the L.W.H. > had come-in a long time ago (in Thermís) as a shot bird. Now severe injured on the head by a frenzy Black-bird male.

KITTEN (Felis catus): 1 ± 3-4 weeks old little Tom-cat from our village. Very emaciated and without a mother. With lots of efforts we could catch him (see April 28^th). Was named “Sámo” after the two discoverers.