August 2005

Total amount of visitors this month:  92                                   (total this year: 746)

GENERAL NEWS:

August 1^st:  except from some arrears in maintenance we did, no news from this side.

August 2^nd:  two Dutch visitors today. In the afternoon a PUPPY from Skála Kallonís > should be in a bad condition and should tumble constantly > might have been worse. Only some drops against flees & ticks were given. Not in the statistics.

August 3^rd:  in the morning 5 Dutch visitors and 3 intakes: an injured white Tom-cat, an injured Rock-dove and a juvenile Sparrow.

August 4^th:  at 8.10 a.m. we have transferred our “Baby-Gull” into the care of the people of the Salines, hoping he/she will not return again. They will give the bird some attention and/or food. At once there was a small cage in our court-yard with a juvenile Sparrow in it > the one who did this, phoned us later. The 2 remaining Kittens from the nest of 5 (05-063; April ’05) we were able to re-home by a Dutch family in Mólivos. Already 2 days we’re receiving phone-calls about a PITBUL > should have attacked a horse > because such animals are nothing for us to take care of, we informed the “Animal-Lovers Society of Lesvos” about this. The release of the remaining Little Owls (05-181; July ’05 from Pigí ) didn’t succeed > in spite of several “escapes” he/she was hardly able to fly > transferred to “The Keep”.

August 5^th:  the Little Owl (05-164; July ’05 from Polichnítos) is as well transferred to “The Keep”. In the evening we received several phone-calls about injured Pigeons in Mytiléne > one (leg-injury) didn’t even make it till nightfall and the other (wing-injury) will be picked-up by us tomorrow.

August 6^th:  the injured Pigeon was picked-up in Mytiléne. Three visitors in the morning: 2 from Holland and one Greek from Kallonís (but we think this guy came more for one of the trainees than for the animals !). In the afternoon again 4 Dutch visitors. A long expected thunderstorm brought (at last) some cooling and we enjoyed it !!

August 7^th:  our Vixen-cub (05-117; June ’05) started te be a bit wild so we transferred her, till the release in March 2006, to the special Fox-cage in “The Keep”. We could release well the juvenile House Martin (05-173; July ’05). Two Dutch visitors this morning.

August 8^th:  the three ex-(juvenile) Barn Owls (05-119; June ’05 from Ánaxos) are transferred to the release-cage. Seven visitors this morning: 3 from Athens and 3 from Holland. After the siesta 4 Dutch visitors. As well our garagist passed by > he had overrun his own dog. Had already visited 2 Vets, but the (2 different!) therapies were worse than the problems > pain-killers were given (not in the statistics).

August 9^th:  a phone-call from Tavári: yesterday-evening an injured Barn Owl was discovered > should have a broken wing. So we picked it up. Around 6 p.m. 7 visitors from Holland and with them a little Bitch. The last one we checked and anti-parasitics were given. As well all arranged for transport to Holland (this one as well not in the statistics). We heard that de dog of our garagist has died due to internal bleedings.

August 10^th: the juvenile Sparrow (05-177; July 23^rd ’05) we discovered dead in its cage. With the trainees we did a “cultural excursion” to the Church of Saint Garálambos, to the early Christian Basilica and to the  Kremásti-bridge. Three Dutch visitors this morning.

August 11^th:  after opened the release-door in the release-cage at 00.30 a.m., NO Barn Owls were present any more this morning !! The last (till now on) juvenile Sparrow, we still had to feed, was discovered dead in his cage this morning. Eight visitors from Holland this morning. While shopping in Kallonís the African Grey Parrot of the Greengrocer was handed-over > is ill. See further by that name. A phone-call from Mytiléne about an injured “pigeon-like” bird > will be send by coach and is picked-up.

August 12^th:  this morning at 6 a.m. two Barn Owls around our house (two of the three released ??). Three Dutch visitors this morning. In the afternoon a phone/call from Pigí > at an asphalt-factory two Tortoises were stuck in the tar. The people who phoned were able to cut up free those animals and one ran away. The other was brought by us over here. Tomorrow we’ll try to clean hem/her.

August 14^th:  the whole morning busy with “unpacking” of the Tortoise. It’s a girl we know now. A phone-call from Mytiléne about a Pigeon with wing-problems > was put on the coach and picked-up by us.

August 14^th:  the youngest of the 3 released Barn Owls was seen early this morning around our houses > was looking fine. Till breakfast worked hard to clean the Tortoise more and more.

August 15^th:  after several nights in vain trying to enter “The Keep” again, we could catch by hand very easy this morning the youngest of the three released Barn Owls > had quite diminished (was only 254 gram!). Fed and put back in the release-cage. Moved-over to the Aviary the both ex-juvenile Collared Doves (05-174A-B; July ’05) for flying-practices. Released the Collared Doves 05-121 (June ’05; juvenile) and 05-096 (May ’05; wing-fracture). In the morning 4 Dutch visitors.

August 16^th:  last night at 01.05 a.m. a phone-call about a puppy (the one from August 9^th, which should have been already in Holland by now !!) that should have been pricked by a scorpion > the phone-number of the Agrotikí Stégi was given. Early this morning again one of the released Barn Owls in the court-yard of the House-next-door > this one as well was busy trying to enter “The Keep”. Later we were able to catch him/her and measure the body-weight: was 296 gram. Fed a bit and tried to place him/her in the release-cage > escaped. Around 8.30 p.m. a blind kitten arrived. And at exact 9.30 we were able to catch the already mentioned Barn Owl (had entered “The Keep”).

August 17^th:  six Dutch visitors this morning.

August 18^th: 2 Greek visitors and 2 Dutch visitors. We heard today that the ex-Tom-Cat “Witteke” (00-059; April 2000 > 1 smashed-up eye and hung afterwards) will be re-homed in Holland.

August 19^th:  after 7 weeks we had to say goodbye to two pretty good trainees > thanks for what you both did for us and for the animals. We had to put down the Swift (05-183; July ’05 from Papádos), due to being not able to fly. Was kept in a wrong cage for a long time before he/she was taken in over here, through which irreparable damage to the big feathers was done. Maybe there should have grown new ones, but by that time the bird should have been in Africa already for months.

August 20^th:   the White Barn Owl (05-157; July ’05 from Stípsi) is transferred, hoping for the best, to the Barn Owl-aviary in “The Keep”. Maybe he will start eating on his own over there. One Collared Dove was taken in > cat-bite & wing-fracture.

August 21^st:  2 intakes in the siesta: one dog, bitten / pricked by a snake/scorpion and a Little Bittern with a broken wing. In the afternoon 2 visitors from Agiássos (the people who brought the kitten “Belly” > they came now to see all the animals).

August 22^nd:  in the morning 4 Dutch visitors. We discovered a dieing Collared Dove in the Aviary > died in our hands. Was bone- & bone-thin. At 8.15 p.m. two new Dutch trainees arrived.

August 23^rd:  except from a conducted tour for the 2 new trainees, we had four Dutch visitors and a whole family from Athens (5 people).

August 24^th:  several phone-calls from Tavári about an injured Gull > should be brought, but till 11 p.m. nothing had arrived > so wait and see. Further a phone-call from 2 Dutch tourists (colleagues in this “job”) about an about 10 days old Puppy > is taken-in later this evening.

August 25^th:  8 visitors this morning: 4 from Belgium and 4 from Holland. No concrete news about the Gull from yesterday. A phone-call from Mytiléne about an injured Pigeon > will be send by coach tomorrow.

August 26^th:  treated a Dog from one of our fellow-village man (the dog had been here before with sharp grass-seeds in his paws) > now skin-problems. Ivomec per os was given and the owner was told where he could buy this and how to dose. Not in the statistics. The Pigeon is taken from the coach > broken leg.

August 27^th:  for the baby-puppy (see August 24^th) we prepared today the “Certificate of Health” > somewhat problematic, because he is so young that nothing can be done (like vaccinations, micro-chipping etc.). From the “Little-Owl-Aviary” in “The Keep” we caught two inhabitants and transferred them to the temporary-aviary in the House Next Door > this to observe their flying-capacities. They are 05-181, July ’05 from Pigí (see also August 4^th) and 05-172, as well July ’05 from Skála Kallonís (stuck in barbed wire). A phone-call from a Vet in Mytiléne > she has a “little bird of prey” with an open fracture of the wing > she will come by herself to bring the bird !! (probably it’s a Swift !!). In the afternoon the two Dutch colleagues passed by again; this time with 2 thrown-away Kittens. As well those 2 are going to Holland next Monday. In the evening the “little bird of prey” was brought > was a Night-Jar with (indeed !) a broken wing. The Vet was shown the Vixen (and the other inhabitants of course).

August 28^th:  under total-anesthetics we could remove by the Turkey (05-167B) a huge bunch of “Cheese” (from a bite-injury). In our street a Stripe-necked Terrapin was discovered (and no water present for miles!). Saved from de-hydrating and released well in a river with (still) water. Not in the statistics.

August 29^th:  in the morning-hours 2 visitors from Belgium. A phone-call from Mytiléne > a Vet over there is sending by coach a Pigeon which isn’t able to stand on its legs > is picked-up.

August 30^th:  taken-in a small Dog with two injured rear-legs (hit by a car ??). For the 2 Dutch trainees it was here “too heavy and too difficult” so they left.

August 31^st:  the Night-Jar died early this morning and we discovered a dead Turtle Dove (04-204; September ’04 > shot) in the Aviary. At the Old Harbor in Mytiléne we discovered an invalid Jackdaw > so we could catch the bird and save it from being overrun.

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 514 (total this year 2908 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 22 [wild ones: 14; others 08], (total this year 238 > : wild ones 137, others 101; total since the start of registration in 1996: 3192),  of which:

TOM-CAT (Felis catus): 1 white, quite young one, discovered in the neighborhood of Pétra. Was laying in the midst of the road and was removed to the verge by a passing-by Greek. Visitors on their way to the L.W.H. noticed he was still alive and took him with them. For sure there is brain-damage. Later we noticed he is covered with (small) injuries and probably he is a 100% deaf. One day later it seems he is as well seriously visually handicapped; what this is going to be we’ll know later. There are “insults” as well, so the prognosis now is . . . . ? Situation has improved after some days > no insults anymore and is running and playing. However, will remain handicapped (deaf and his sight) so will stay. Was named “Alba”.

ROCK DOVE (Columba livia): 1, delivered by a Vet in Mytiléne. The right eye is injured, but that seems to be all. Was transferred to “The Keep” August 11^th.

HOMING-PIGEON (Columba livia dom): 4; the first was an adult from Mytiléne; is missing from the right wing(hand-part) ALL big feathers. There is skin-damage over there as well. Went to “The Keep” August 26^th. The 2^nd came from the same place > old fracture right wing with a loss of big feathers.  Was transferred as well to the Pigeon-aviary in “The Keep” on August 26^th. Number 3 came as well from Mytiléne > closed fracture of the left tibia > splinted. Number four was sent-in by a Vet > shouldn’t be able to stand on its legs. No fractures or injuries were discovered > so observation.

HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus): 2; the first was a juvenile from our village > so only feeding. Is discovered dead August 11^th early in de morning. The second was a bit older and was placed in our court-yard (see August 4^th). Was already so full-grown that we could lodge him/her in the Aviary for flying-practices and developing a new tail.

PIGEON (Columba livia dom.): 1 from Mytiléne > injured on the left wing & the head. Went to “The Keep” August 26^th.

BROWN BARN OWL (Tyto alba guttata): 1 adult, discovered in Tavári.  Should have a broken wing. Was taped-in by the discoverer in such a good manner, most Vets over here could match that if they can . . . .   Seemed to have however no fractures, but to be very malnourished > so hand-feeding.

AFRICAN GREY PARROT (Psittacus erithracus): 1 from Kallonís; is treated here before. Now a severe rhinotrachitis with on both sides an even more severe sinusitis. Was discovered dead in its cage the 13^th early in the morning. P.M.: both sinuses were complete filled with “cheese” and the bird was bone-thin.

SPURR-TIGHED TORTOISE (Testudo graeca ibera): 1,  a good adult animal; discovered at an asphalt-factory on the road from Lámbou Míli to Pigí. Was stuck in the tar together with a colleague.

And after a whole morning of cleaning, the worst was removed. After 12 days over here, we’ve seen her, eating well. Even the eyes were O.K. !

KITTEN (Felis catus): 3; the first was a quite young male from Agiássos > left eye had “disappeared” and in the right one is a hole with tissue coming out . . . . .  Besides, the belly is immense swollen.

After some days of treatment the eyes (or the remnants of those) are more and more “quiet”. The whole condition is improving as well, but his swollen belly gave him the name “Belly”. The next two (1-1) were discovered in Mólivos in the streets > thrown-away ! Rescued by Dutch colleagues of us and left the Hospital August 29^th at 5.30 p.m. on their way to Holland.

COLLARED DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto): 1 juvenile from our village > bitten by a cat. Closed fracture of the right wing (Humerus) > hanging cast was given & 3 days (prophylactic) antibiotics.

DOG (Canis familiaris): 1 huge Great Dane (but was only 8 months old) from Italy > was bitten by a snake or pricked by a scorpion. The owners had already visited the “Health-Centre” in Kallonís,  but they phoned us to know what to give. At last this “calf” arrived over here and we injected an anti-histaminic. The dog (and her owners) was seen the 24^th in Kallonís >  100% OK !!

LITTLE BITTERN (Ixobrychus minutus): 1 adult male from Taxiárchis > closed fracture of the left wing (humerus).

After being fed normally next morning, we discovered him dead in his cage during the morning-hours. P.M. will be done in the future.

PUPPY (Canis familiaris): 2; the first was an about 10 days old male, from a sandy “road” between Sígri and Eressoú > was doing his utmost best to cross the road before the wheels of a car (the bitch probably had no milk enough) > was rescued by 2 Dutch colleagues and temporarily lodged over here. Has left the Hospital August 29^th at 5.30 p.m. on his way to Holland.

The second came from Arisví, was male as well and about 3 months old. Was injured on both rear-legs (the left one the worst) > we started with  Dermisol-solvens.

NIGHT-JAR  (Caprimulgus europaeus): 1 adult from/via Mytiléne > fracture right wing (humerus) > splinted.

Died early in the morning  of August 31^st .

JACKDAW (Corvus monedula): 1 adult from Mytiléne > didn’t fly away and we almost had overrun him/her. With some difficulties we were able to catch the bird . A part of the left wing (hand) is probably dead or dying > so will stay.