August 2006

LOG-BOOK:

August 1^st:   the Scop’s had gained weight till 93 gram, but the white Barn Owl had diminished till 331 gram. The juvenile Swift had gained 1 gram and was 29 gram. The Hooded Crow was 378 gram. As well with the “old” as with the “new” brown Barn Owls one had diminished and the others had gained weight. The W.R.P. (World Rat Population) had diminished again with one > drowned in the water-bowl of the Eagle Owl. We could continue with brick-laying around the door of the Zoökomeio > lots of measurements and as well lots of brick-cutting. There came a phone-call from Mytiléne about an injured pigeon > asked to send the bird by coach, but even thát was evidently too much to ask for . . . . !! And because at this moment it’s only the two of us, so 80 km v.v. is a little bit too much !!

August 2^nd:  the Scop’s was 91 gram and the juvenile Swift 30 gram. The Hooded Crow was 382 gram and the white Barn Owl 344 gram. The “new” brown Barn Owls had gained weight or stayed the same. With the “old” ones three had gained weight and two had diminished. We finished today the brick-laying; now only some joints need to be filled better. We received a phone-call from Mytiléne about a tortoise > will be brought next Saturday (??). At 11.05 a.m. a cock and a chicken were brought-in > the cock (we have treated him in the past as well because he was bitten) now had problems with infections in both eyes (third-eye-lids); the chicken had one overfilled sinus-hole due to rhinotrachitis. Around midday two Dutch visitors. After the siesta 6 Dutch visitors. Around 6 p.m. the owners of the African Grey came, and we heard from them that the bird never produced normal faeces and urine: the urine isn’t white (like it should be) but like normal water. This could be a symptom of a kidney-failure, because the bird is more and more languid.

August 3^rd:  the African Grey was still alive early this morning. The Scop’s was 94 gram, the Hooded Crow 379 gram, the juvenile Swift the same as yesterday and the white Barn Owl was 347 gram. All three new brown Barn Owls had gained weight; with the others it’s fluctuating. The W.R.P. has diminished again with one > was drowning and we stopped the swimming-practice.

Releases:

Our “Chimney-Barn-Owls” (06-111a-e) were transferred at 9.18 a.m. to the deserted little house at the utmost end of the street as a preparation for their release and for flying-practices > they’ll receive their food over there for the coming time. Didn’t they know exactly what to do with their wings (except performing a threatening-pose) when we set them free, at 1 p.m. they all five were sitting in between the rafters.

Started in de “Food-hall” to place new shelves against the new wall > not such a pleasure with an air-temperature in the shed of + 34 degrees Centigrade !! We were able to remove by the little chicken lots of “cheese” from the swollen sinus-hole; by the cock as well “cheese” was removed from the right eye.

August 4^th:  the African Grey is still alive and the fever is diminishing a bit; however the bird is more and more lethargic. The Scop’s was 93 gram, the white Barn Owl was 349 gram, but the Hooded Crow had diminished till 366 gram. As well the juvenile Swift had diminished 2 gram. From the remaining brown Barn Owls one had diminished and two had gained weight. Only two of the “chimney-Barn Owls” were present this morning > due to a lack of light is was impossible to see which ones. There was eaten, but not so much. At 7.35 a.m. there was a woman at our door with the message that there was a bird in her court-yard > if we could come and remove the bird ! And what could be expected: one of our Barn Owls (red ring right leg) > fed a bit and placed-back in the deserted house. One of the ring-colors of the other two could be seen (blue). And while we are gasping  due to a coming heat-wave (with temperatures of above 40 degrees Centigrade in the coming week-end), the electricity-plant was announcing (via the “village-loudspeaker-system”) that next Monday there will be a power-stop from 9 a.m. till (at least) 1 p.m. !! Around midday the shelves in the food-hall were ready; the air-temperature in the shed was at that time already above the 34 degrees Centigrade !! At half past twelve the African Grey was taken back by the owners > they wanted that he/she should die at home, whenever it should be the time . . . . Around 4 p.m. the air-temperature was already 36 degrees Centigrade and we were already for half an hour without water . . . . Around 8 p.m. there was again (some) water > at the spot we’ve filled all kind of buckets, watering-cans etc. to have at least drinking-water for the animals tomorrow-morning . . . . !!

August 5^th:  we started this Saturday “well” by having a power-cut from 00.30 till 1.55 a.m. > we were swimming in our bed, because of course the fan didn’t work as well anymore > so a “lousy night”. At 5.30 a.m. the body-weights were as follows: Scop’s 94 gram, white Barn Owl diminished (337 gram), Hooded Crow 379 gram and the Swift 28 gram. All three brown Barn Owls had gained weight. When we measured the baby-tortoises the last time (July 10^th) they were 54 and 56 gram; this morning they both were 80 gram !! Only one of the released brown Barn Owls was still present this morning (the blue). There had been eaten. The Pigeon (06-152; July 27^th) which had a broken wing, is transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” for flying-practice. The jointing of the wall of the Zoökomeio was finished today and we started with a little shed above the door. However, we had to stop, because the air-temperature started to rise above 35 degrees Centigrade and the water-pressure diminished dramatically. And so we were without water again at 00.45 p.m. . . . . !! We heard, that the African Grey died yesterday-evening in the hands of his owners. At 3.45 p.m. the air-temperature was 37 degrees Centigrade !! The juvenile Sparrow (06-059; open fracture right leg), which was transferred to the Aviary May 11^th, we should consider as “staying-for-ever”: is visually handicapped as well. The other juvenile Sparrow (06-107), which was transferred to the Aviary June 22^nd for flying-practices, can be booked-out as a patient: can be caught and released at the first occasion. The Collared Dove (06-118), which was transferred to the Aviary July 17^th, is in any case for the time being to be considered as an invalid. The Long-legged Buzzard (06-137) we picked-up July 16^th, is doing well. Should however stay till the end of the hinting-season (beginning of March ’07), because she is still much too less shy. At 8.10 p.m. we had to take back from the “Little-Owl-Aviary” in “The Keep” a disabled ex-patient: is missing left eye, but now the right leg was stiff (and bended) so walking happened on the heel. Talons were as well deformed. See further by LITTLE OWL. Just before 9 p.m. there was water again . . . . !!

August 6^th:  the Scop’s was 93 gram, the Swift 27 gram, the Hooded Crow 375 gram and the white Barn Owl 335 gram. The brown Barn Owls all remained the same or had gained a little bit. They are all above the 300 gram now. From the released brown Barn Owls only the blue, like yesterday, was still present. One of our Dutch friends re-organized our court-yard by sawing the plants-table lengthwise in two pieces, connecting both halves to each other and fastening the whole against the wall of the stair-case. In reality “only” 26 cm is won, but optically it looks like almost one meter !! The shed above the door of the Zoökomeio is finished and fastened. From about 11.45 a.m. there was a water-stop again. . . . !! Today it was “only” 35 degrees centigrade, but when one can’t take a real shower after the work, it’s the most annoying !! And when there is water again late in the evening, it’s so “piss-warm” that’s hardly any fun at all . . . . !! And the water came back already at 6.30 p.m.: not only a little bit and “piss-warm”, but brownish into the bargain . . . . !!

August 7^th:  the Scop’s was 91 gram, the Hooded Crow 373 gram, the Swift 26 gram and the white Barn Owl 328 gram. All four had diminished (due to the warm weather ??). Two of the brown Barn Owls had gained weight and one had diminished. From Hoopoe II we had to burn a bleeding bill: he/she is picking soo hard, that the top of the upper-bill had disappeared > the under-bill was “adapted”. There was eaten very well in the deserted house and none of the released ones was present anymore !! If this continues, we can start the release of the juvenile Little Owls after three days from now. The W.R.P. has diminished again with one: no swimming-license ! At 8.45 a.m. there was a complete water-stop; followed at 9.15 a.m. by the electricity. The latter was back again at 11.50 a.m. Two Dutch visitors this morning. We could pick-up at the post office a parcel with instruments and other materials > the sender was the “Foundation for Animal-help in Venezuela” > we are very grateful ! At 1.20 p.m. two (quite “pimply”) boys were at our door with an injured Barn Owl > we first had thought it should be one of ours, bur that wasn’t the case. See further by BARN OWL. At 3.50 p.m. we had again (some) water. We’ve received an official letter from the Dasarcheío (Forest Patrol etc) that, in occurring cases we shouldn’t take action by our own (so not any more with a smile and “good words talking to”), but in cases of breaching of the law concerning wild animals at once and without delay call in that authority > so our joint action together with the “Animal-lovers Society of Lesvos” gave a start to a change  in the “higher regions” !! 

 “Releases”:

at 6 p.m. we were able to re-home 4 Pigeons with a good Greek pigeon-fancier; under those was 06-134, which came in July 13^th as a juvenile with a leg-injury. In the evening we received a phone-call from our Vice-Chairman (who is a good friend of the Chief of the Dasarcheío) that the Dasarcheío is going to institute legal proceedings against the owner of the stone-pit, because he had threatened us !! So if we could be prepared to testify ! So there is changing something in Greece !!

August 8^th:  the Scop’s was 93 gram, the Swift 26 gram, the Hooded Crow 369 gram and the white Barn Owl had gained weight and was 349 gram. The new Barn Owl was (in spite of the weight of the splint) diminished till 264 gram, but hadn’t eaten at all. The brown Barn Owls are all three about the same. None of the released brown Barn Owls was (for the 2^nd night) present anymore and nothing had been eaten. But we’ve heard a lot of Barn Owl-noises last night around our house. The new Barn Owl is, qua eating, a “problem-case”: is vomiting all the given food !! So will be force-fed now every three hours a little bit !! Meanwhile we have heard that the Tortoise, which should be brought last Saturday, won’t come anymore. The son of the discoverer had released the animal (where ?? a safe spot ??) without knowing if anything was wrong with the animal . . . . !! For a change we were without water again from 12 a.m. . . . . !! At half past twelve a phone-call from Lámbou Míli: there was a bird-of-prey with a broken wing over there > picked-up. See by GOSHAWK. Water was restored from about 6.30 p.m. !! At 8 p.m. we discovered that the new Barn Owl hadn’t vomited anymore > had we been able to pull him over the dead lock ?? For the last time food for the “chimney-Barn Owls” was placed in the deserted house tonight.

August 9^th:  the yesterday taken-in Goshawk isn’t doing well at all: is laying with the head bended backwards and is breathing very difficult !! Had diminished (in spite of carefully feeding yesterday) with 14 gram. The Scop’s was 93 gram, the Hooded Crow 372 gram, the Swift had remained the same (26 gram) and the white Barn Owl was 345 gram. It looks like if we are pulling the new Barn Owl over the dead lock: was 280 gram. From the brown Barn Owls one should have eaten on his own (had gained a bit); the other two were the same or had diminished. In the deserted house again no Barn Owl was present anymore, but the feeding-bowl was (almost) complete empty > so tonight again a feeding-bowl must be placed over there. At 7.10 a.m. the water-pressure started to fade away already > soo early we hadn’t expected this. So we had to hurry to fill some basins, buckets and watering-cans. At 7.30 a.m. there was a total water-stop > quite difficult cleaning cages without water !! The Goshawk is steadily tumbling and is gasping for breath > still he is alert enough and one should still be aware for those “nice” talons. Around half past twelve there was water again. At 1.35 p.m. the Goshawk had tumbled for the last time  > no P.M. was done. At 5.50 p.m. two new volunteers arrived: Alex & Caddy from the U.K. They “stepped-over” from the Turtles on Crete to our place.

August 10^th:  the Scop’s had gained 1 gram and the Hooded Crow 3 gram. The Swift had remained the same, but both Barn Owls had diminished: the white one was 335 gram and the “mixture” was 272 gram. All brown Barn Owls had gained weight and one had eaten himself (the red one). In the deserted house no Barn Owl was present, but there had been eaten (should can be a Little Owl as well). About 11.50 a.m. a juvenile Long-legged Buzzard was brought-in; just hereafter a Canary-bird and at the same time 4 Dutch visitors. At 2.55 p.m. a phone-call about some kittens with probably nest-scabies > one will pass by this evening. Because the wing-fracture of the Barn Owl of August 7^th has a very bad prognosis (injury is worsening day after day and the bird doesn’t want anymore), there is decided to stop the suffering > bird was put down. Today was the first time (since how long ago ??) we had water the whole day . . . . !!

August 11^th:  the Scop’s had diminished with 4 gram and the Swift with 1 gram. As well the Hooded Crow had diminished (4 gram). The white Barn Owl had gained 1 gram and the Long-legged Buzzard had gained 21 gram. Only for the latter it was still force-feeding > let’s hope he will start eating on his own. Two of the brown Barn Owls had diminished and one had gained weight. In the deserted house there had been eaten, but no Barn Owl was to be seen any more. And after we had cleaned & refreshed yesterday the water-basin of the Eagle Owl, last night the W.R.P. had diminished again with one. They came with the two little kittens > indeed it was nest-scabies. Ivomec/os was given and Iodine-Salicylic-Spirits for topical use at home was given to the care-takers. Not in the statistics. At ± 11.45 a.m. a phone-call from the Vet Myrsíni Tourvalí came about a Pigeon with problems > will be send by the coach of 1.15 p.m. and was picked-up. At 5.10 p.m. a phone-call from Dutch tourists in Pétra about an injured kitten (hit by a car ??): evidently the Vet in Pétra wasn’t available and as well evidently our car was the only one on the whole island . . . . After a lot of talking they should call us again íf and whén they should bring the patient > further nothing heard anymore !!

August 12^th:  everyone was still alive this morning. The Scop’s was 92 gram and the Swift had lost again 1 gram (24 gram now). The Hooded Crow was 372 gram and the white Barn Owl was 333 gram. The “top of the list” however was the Long-legged Buzzard, who gained in one day 137 gram (768 now !!). We measured twice to be sure !! The 3 brown Barn Owls had gained weight and we’re thinking about a soon release now. The case of our “chimney-Barn-Owls” we closed this morning. Around 10 a.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about a Terrapin with eye-problems. One should try to find a way to get the animal over here, because the woman who called was leaving this night already for Athens.

Releases:

At 11.18 a.m. the three brown Barn Owls were transferred to the deserted house.

At 11.30 a.m. arrived by taxi four female humans and one male kitten > wasn’t hit by a car, but severe rhinotrachitis > taken-in, because one of the women wants to take the kitten back home (Holland). See further by KITTEN. At ± 11.45 a.m. a phone-call from Skópelos about a dog which was deliberately shot > they had already visited a Vet, but that one only had given antibiotics and painkillers. They’re coming tomorrow-morning around ten with the dog. At 4 p.m. two of the three brown Barn Owls were sitting in between the rafters and the third was hiding in a niche in the wall. At 4.35 p.m. again a phone-call about the dog: the leg was swelling more and more and they wanted to pass by. They were over here at 6.05 p.m. : quite friendly dog, but as well the left front-leg as the left rear-leg were shot from close range !! One could hardly count the shot-holes !! The lymphatic system was quite destroyed (logic !!) so there was a huge edema in both legs. Both legs were treated with an anti-inflammatory fluid and bandages. See further by DOG.

August 13^th:  the Swift had diminished again (22 gram now) > is probably not going to make it. The Hooded Crow had diminished as well (369 gram) and the white Barn Owl had no appetite as well. The Scop’s was (with one feeding-round less) 90 gram. The Long-legged Buzzard had gained weight and was 795 gram. In the deserted house all three brown Barn Owls were still present, but hardly or nothing was eaten. The yesterday taken-in little Tom-Cat was a bit more vivid, but it’s still the question if it’s worth while to continue. The white Barn Owl (06-145; July 21^st) went back, hoping for the best, to the barn owl-aviary in “The Keep”. Because it’s a real misfit (talons are growing in the wrong direction etc) it’ll be the question how long it will take before the cage-mates are using their “territorial-behavior” again. But that we’ll see. Hoopoe II was transferred to the Aviary this morning > was languishing a bit inside. Let’s see how this is going. We had to stop this experiment after some hours, because the bird had been quite violent attacked by biting “soldier-ants”. Did we write some lines ago about the little Tom-cat “but it’s still the question if it’s worth while to continue”, after the siesta we are ready to opt for a quite popular TV-program in Holland “Miracles really exist” !! Was till that time fluid only given with an insulin-syringe (and very careful 50 IU [ = 0,5 ml] each time), suddenly there was tasted from the coffee of one of us (so wasn’t nice !!), but hereafter the water-bowl was emptied with lots of noises. A little bit of tinned cat-food (made to a mixture with some water) wasn’t enough and had te be repeated in the coming two hours !! Back in the Sick-Bay (when we were preparing food) a bowl with left-overs from the Crows was “squatted” !! There is present an immense lump in the neck/throat on the right side (at the jaw-joint) but we’ll look after that the coming days. Transport to Holland on the 18^th is now going to be possible again.

August 14^th:  Hoopoe II was damaged more than we thought, after his/her stay in between the biting soldier-ants: was sitting complete lethargic in a corner of his cage. The Scop’s is begging for food as soon as humans are spotted > so isn’t eating by himself and had diminished till 87 gram. The Hooded Crow was 374 gram and the Swift 23 gram. The Long-legged Buzzard had gained again 50 gram and was 845 gram. While entering the deserted house, there was one brown Barn Owl in the window-sill, and that one flew at once outside. No other Barn Owls were to be seen or to be heard. There was eaten over there. Hoopoe II (06-131; July 9^th) had vomited all the given food before te 2^nd feeding-round. The mucous membranes in the mouth were very pale. The 3^rd feeding-round he didn’t want to eat at all and at 10.45 a.m. there was no life present anymore. Hoopoe I is in the Aviary now and is flying quite well > when there are enough big tail-feathers, this one can be released. At ± 11.45 a.m. a phone-call about a stray dog that should go to England > advices and Phone-numbers were given. We’re almost ready with the re-organizing of our Pharmacy > lots and lots (even for us) over-dated medicines and anti-parasite-collars were dumped. At 6.05 p.m. a phone-call from Polichnítos about a cat of 19 years old with an open abscess, which didn’t close proper. The cat had this in the past as well. They will pass-by tomorrow with the cat.

August 15^th:  the Scop’s was 91 gram (but after again 2 feeding-rounds), the Swift is “sinking away” and was 21 gram. The Hooded Crow was 372 gram and the Long-legged Buzzard was 892 gram > will have one feeding-round less now. In the deserted house there was eaten and one brown Barn Owl was present (the red).

The Hooded Crow (06-140; July 19^th) was transferred this morning as an invalid to the Crow-Aviary in the court-yard of the House-next-door. In spite of the (remaining ??) invalidity he/she was sitting quite quick on top of the tree in there. At 10.20 a.m. the cat arrived, but had died during the trip. It was an immense injury, where maggots were crawling around. During the whole morning phone-calls and e-mails about several dogs in Skála Kallonís: one should go to England (see yesterday), the other is chained on a much to short chain close to a hotel and there were also some puppies. As good as possible advices, phone-numbers of the “Animal-lovers Society of Lesvos” etc. etc. were given. At half past twelve a man from Mandamádos was in front of our door with a kitten he was taken care of, but which he had knocked down by car himself now as well. See further by KITTEN. Did we plan for tomorrow to take away from our “half-stray” cat “Foúrno” the “joy of mother-hood”, the cat didn’t show up the whole day ! Luckily she arrived at 7.30 p.m. (after we called her several times) and now she is in, waiting for the day of tomorrow.

August 16^th:  at arriving in the Sick-Bay it was a real “cattery-sound” over there !! The Scop’s was 89 gram, the Swift 18 gram (but is almost dead) and the Long-legged Buzzard was 920 gram. That one is fed for the last time and will be transferred to the aviary later this morning. In the deserted house there was eaten, but no-one was present anymore. At 8.05 a.m. the juvenile Swift (06-156; July 30^th) was discovered dead. The Long-legged Buzzard was transferred to the buzzard-aviary. The half-stray “Foúrno” was de-mothered this morning with success. At 8.41 p.m. a female Eastern Hedge-hog  was brought-in by two children on a moped.

August 17^th:  everything was still alive this morning. The Scop’s had been very active last night and was only 88 gram. The newly taken-in Eastern Hedge-hog had eaten quite well and was 672 gram (and that’s much too slight). Under total-anesthetics we could shorten the nails of the dog “Prótos” (* 1994, so no case-number), remove dental-stone and one tooth had to be removed. Not in the statistics. A part of the leg of the kitten (see August 15^th) is dieing > tomorrow we’ll have a look if we can do something to speed up this process by removing dead tissue (but under total anesthetics, because he is quite a biter). The cat “Foúrno” has chosen for “freedom” again at 9.30 a.m. > the injury is looking well, so why not. We could remove from the Eastern Hedge-hog tens of ticks and hundreds of maggots. By the way, the skin is not in an optimal condition. Meanwhile everything is prepared for the transport to Holland of the kitten “Mythos” (which came-in August 12^th. The Canary-bird, severe bitten by mosquito’s, went back to the owners in a good condition; they have as well (found) a pigeon, something is wrong with > will be brought tomorrow.

NEWS from the Internet:

Heat wave set to start tomorrow

Temperature to reach 42C

The temperature in some parts of Greece is expected to reach 42 Celsius (107 Fahrenheit) next week because of a heat wave that is due to hit the country tomorrow, the National Meteorological Service (EMY) said yesterday, as seven brush fires raged around the country. Western Greece and Macedonia are due to feel the effects of the heat wave first. The temperature in those areas is set to reach 38C (100F) tomorrow, rising to 40C (104F) by Saturday. This heat will reach the rest of the country on Sunday. The temperature is set to reach 42C in some parts by Tuesday.                                                                                                                                                  “Despite the rise in temperature, the situation will be bearable in Attica until Saturday due to northerly winds,” the head of forecasting at EMY, Dimitris Ziakopoulos, told Kathimerini. “But caution will be needed on Monday and Tuesday when the thermometer will show over 40C.”                                                                                                                                                                                                      The City of Athens said yesterday that it is offering residents access to 26 air-conditioned centers in various parts of the capital between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. from tomorrow. Officials will also be on the alert for an increased risk of forest fires, especially after the unusually high number of blazes yesterday.

August 18^th:  the Eastern Hedge-hog had diminished 11 gram (but hadn’t eaten at all yesterday) and the Scop’s was 91 gram.

Releases:

At 6.25 were taken by the Vet Myrsíni Tourvalí four white Pigeons; will be released tomorrow at a funeral. The little Tom-cat “Mythos” (06-166, August 12^th) was handed-over to the new owner (on her way in the coach to the Airport).

At a temperature of 30 degrees centigrade in the Surgery pieces of dead tissue of the leg of the little Tom-cat “Strátos” were removed and the pieces again stitched together. The on January 29^th taken-back Pigeon from the Pigeon-cage in “The Keep” (05-093) was transferred this morning again to that cage: there are now no inhabitants over there, which can damage her again. By the Eastern Hedge-hog we were able to remove again lots of maggots (51 !!) from the left ear and the left arm-pit. At 7.20 p.m. a phone-call from Eftaloú about a kitten people had taken with them from Chíos; kitten is not in a good condition > one will pass-by tomorrow with the kitten. At 8.45 p.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about an injured Pigeon > will be picked-up tomorrow. Further we received an e-mail about the little Tom-cat “Mythos”: the transport went without problems.

August 19^th:  the Eastern Hedge-hog had diminished more and was now 639 gram. Force-feeding is tried yesterday, but she is only sucking on the (with problems put into the mouth) food. The Scop’s was 91 gram. During a further examination on the injuries of the hedge-hog no maggots could be discovered anymore. It looks however, if the injury in the ear is connected with the jaw-joint > chewing is almost impossible for her. With more than extraordinary efforts some food could be given, but even a small meal-worm was too much for her. We received a phone-call from our Ambulance in Mytiléne, that a “quite tousled” pigeon was taken-over from the Port-police over there at 9.40 a.m. (see further by PIGEON). Four Dutch visitors. As well came the Dutch people with the announced kitten from the island of Chíos. Kitten was taken-in for observation. Did we have to remove in July 2004 our flag-pole, because on that place the roof had to be renewed (after the iron skeleton of the solar-panels etc. was removed), today the same flag-pole is fastened again against the wall. If we can buy good flag-line, our yellow “quarantine-flag” (with the logo of the L.W.H. in the centre) will be visible again and show the tourists the way to our hospital.

August 20^th:  today the beginning of the hunting-season !! We discovered the yesterday taken-in “quite tousled” Pigeon this morning dead in the cage. The Eastern Hedge-hog is diminishing in a “record-speed”: in spite of all our efforts she was only 575 gram this morning. The baby-tortoises were 92 and 98 gram. Till now on the “race-shit” by the little kitten from Chíos is still present. While plucking the succumbed pigeon, it showed that there had been damage to the air-sacks as well > the bird was looking like a “Michelin-man”, so died from suffocation. At 9.05 a.m. a phone-call from our village about a doggie which should be very fidgety > one will come with the dog. After examinations nothing could be discovered > can be a “heat-problem” and so advices in that direction were given. Our half-stray cat “Foúrno” however, which was full of interest just before while we were cleaning the “Chíos-kitten”, suddenly behaved herself like the “watchdog of the neighborhood” and attacked the doggie !! While separating those two, we both received lots of holes and scratches . . . . !! The Pigeon, which came in August 11^th (06-165; had lost lots of feathers) is transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” > the feathers are coming back quite quickly. At the moment we have over there “only” 4 pigeons; such a luxury we hadn’t since a long time. Started with the frame for the wire gauze in the renewed outside wall from the kitchen > the cats are going to have more “fresh air and sunshine”.  At last we were able to give the hedge-hog a little bit more food. After the siesta the little hedge-hog started (at 4.20 p.m.) for the first time to eat a little bit by herself !! After 4 p.m. the air-temperature (in the shadow) had risen till almost 35 degrees centigrade !! At 11.10 p.m. a phone-call from someone “on the road”, that he had seen an injured Fox in the neighborhood of Lámbou Míli, but the Fox couldn’t be caught.

August 21^st:  at 4.50 a.m. the air-temperature was still 30 degrees centigrade !! The Eastern Hedge-hog was 593 gram (so gained 18 gram !). The on July 13^th taken-in Pigeon with the open shoulder-fractures on both sides (06-136), was transferred today to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” . . . . . !! (so don’t give up courage too soon !!). At 9.10 a.m. the temperature had risen already till 32 degrees centigrade !! Our yellow flag is flying out again in the little bit of wind there is . . . .  A part of the wire gauze is already placed; we stopped because it was too warm to work in the sun. At 11.40 a phone-call from Eressós about a White Stork with a damaged wing > one is trying to get the bird over here. At half past twelve it was already 36 degrees in the shed !! And at 4 p.m. it was above 37 degrees !! At 4.02 p.m. we had the White Stork in our hands > see further by WHITE STORK. And at 6 p.m. the water-pressure started to fade away > so no shower on this hot day !!

August 22^nd:  at 4.50 a.m. it still was 30 degrees centigrade outside !! At 5.30 a.m. we discovered the White Stork dead in its cage. The Eastern Hedge-hog hadn’t eaten well yesterday and had diminished with 9 gram (584 gram now). Is as well a bit lethargic. The wire gauze in the kitchen is finished and the new place is already “discovered” by the cats. At 9.30 it was again already 32 degrees centigrade !! At the same moment we discovered the Eastern Hedge-hog not being alive anymore. Half an hour later the disabled Little Owl (see August 5^th) back to the Little Owl-aviary in “The Keep”. We could close the patient-cards of the Hooded Crow (06-140; July 19^th ) because of remaining (??) disability and of the 3 brown Barn Owls (06-138a-c, as well from July 19^th). In the morning-hours two Dutch visitors. At 1.30 p.m. it was 36 degrees centigrade in the shed. At 1.48 p.m. a phone-call from Eressós about . . . . 2 White Storks, of which one was shoot to death. One is going to try to get the other as soon as possible over here. As well one will “inform against unknowns”. And while we were waiting for the stork, there was a power-cut at 3.47 p.m. > this lasted till 5.27 p.m. !! One of the hottest days, and no electricity . . . . !! At 4.25 p.m. we had the stork in our possession and we had to treat hem/her in the court-yard, because the Surgery had no electricity !! See further by WHITE STORK. Around half past seven two villagers were at the door with a “bad knocked-down” doggie > the meaning was, that the car hadn’t really severe hit the doggie. Doggie was checked and some ticks were removed, but wasn’t taken-in due to a lack of cages !! Advices were given how to check the poor soul and how to remove the other ticks. Not in the statistics. And at 8.55 p.m. a phone-call from Vaterá about . . . . indeed, a White Stork !! Shouldn’t be able to fly. The discoverer, a Canadian, should give it a try to catch the bird and to get it here. And what happened: while we were waiting for the stork . . . . there was a power-cut again !! That lasted from 10.40 till 11.40 p.m.. We have taken all kind of measures that this fellow, if he should come indeed, could find our house. Due to that is was quite a restless night . . . !!

August 23^rd:  no stork had arrived last night. The shot-down White Stork was (don’t praise the day before it’s evening) still alive and was standing straight. Checking the injuries of the White Stork, discovered where the blood in the beak came from: there was a shot-hole in the soft part of the under-bill as well. By the way, the bird was covered with feather-parasites > it was itching everywhere after we finished cleaning and feeding (a little bit). The injury of the little Tom-cat “Strátos” is becoming more and more clean and isn’t causing so much pain anymore (he is hardly biting during bandage-changing). The “high-speed-shitting” cat from Chíos is improving her “shit-quality”; the use of the cat’s box however is still unknown to her, so it’s a lot of times mopping over there. She went with her discoverers at 11.35 a.m., to leave next Friday for Holland. The White Stork is swallowing now with appetite the given food; the produced “droppings” are showing mal-nourishment, but no internal bleedings ! Further 12 visitors this morning: 8 Dutch and 4 from Belgium. In the afternoon we discovered that the little Tom-cat “Strátos” is starting to use the injured leg (in a game with a tennis-ball) > so a good omen. As well he is trying to remove the bandage with his teeth. We have discovered several other shot-holes in the body of the White Stork, bur they were all not life-threatening.

August 24^th:  the White Stork was sleeping standing straight early this morning. After changing of the bandage of the left wing it showed that the injury is closing well and that the tendons hereunder still are able to move. The injuries in the abdomen is starting to become dry. We could cut away lots of pieces of dead skin from the foot of the little Tom-cat “Strátos”. When the Dermisol-solvens is doing well what it should do, probably no 2^nd surgery is necessary. In the afternoon 4 Dutch visitors.

August 25^th:  It looks like if we can keep the callus-cushion under the front-leg of “Strátos” (in any case partially!). We removed the bandage around the left wing of the White Stork; this to give him/het the opportunity to stretch the wing during “walks” in our court-yard or outside, in the street (under supervision of course). The right wing however (where there was a shot-hole in the pulse) is hanging a bit. At almost half past ten a phone-call from Mytiléne about a pigeon (everything should be wrong with it, e.g. can’t fly) > will be brought later this day at the Shell-Petrol-Station. At a quarter past twelve a phone-call about a (probably) poisoned dog > injections were sold to the owners. Not in the statistics. The Pigeon we had in our hands at 2.03 p.m. > see further by PIGEON.

August 26^th:  the W.R.P. had diminished again with 2: one without swimming-license and the 2^nd was caught by “Foúrno”. At 9.50 a.m. a Dutchman from Pétra came to bring a dog, which was hit by a car yesterday-evening. A Vet in Kallonís had refused even looking after the dog !! See further by BITCH. Two Dutch colleagues from the shelter on the island of Sámos came to visit us; they had lots of “surplus materials” for us (under which stitches) and we could pleasure them with materials plentiful present over here or what hardly is used. After the siesta 4 Dutch visitors. 

August 27^th: the Pigeon which came-in the day before yesterday (which shouldn’t be able to fly) was transferred this morning after the end of the antibiotics-cure to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” for gaining strength and flying-practice. The latter isn’t necessary, because he/she was flying well at once. At 10.05 p.m. suddenly there was a power-cut and that without any previously warning ! It’s such a “mess” here on the island with the supply of electric energy, that one is talking about importing electricity from . . . . Turkey ! By the way, it was a real fantastic starry sky without any light-pollution. And electricity was restored . . . .

August 28^th:  at 0.35 a.m. So we could leave our bed checking lights and pieces of apparatus (switched ón or óff).  We’ll check later if there is any damage on the TV and video. And this was, wonder of wonders this time, not the case. The hanging wing of the White Stork is improving and some “wing-exercises” are done. The leg of “Strátos” is starting to become more and more clean. During the morning-hours 2 Dutch visitors. In the afternoon 3 Dutch visitors, living permanently in Pétra. In the evening the son of a deceased friend of us from our former village, Loutrópolis Thermís, came and brought us a car full of grapes from the vines of his father. It’s só much, we must buy new big fermentation-barrels. Our own vine has hardly useful fruits, due to all the bird-shit that came upon them. 

August 29^th: the whole morning busy with grapes: washing, selecting and measuring. We already finished 3 from the 9 full bags; gave 17 kilo’s clean grapes, ready for pressing. At 11.58 a.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about an injured Pigeon > will be send by the coach of 1.15 p.m. Two Dutch visitors just before the siesta. At 1.35 p.m. a phone-call from Keramiá about a Turtle-dove, they had in possession already for some days > they will bring the bird. At 2.03 p.m. we had the Pigeon in our hands > see further by PIGEON. After four o’clock 5 Dutch visitors.

August 30^th:  the little Tom-cat “Strátos” had removed himself last night the bandages around his leg. Was the rest of the day without bandage. We received an e-mail that the little cat “Vélda” (06-109b; June 17^th) can be re-homed in Holland. Her brother “Koppeltje” ( means: little sword-belt, because of his belly; 06-109a, June 17^th as well) will be taken to Belgium. This morning we could work up 4 bags of grapes: in total today 27,5 kilo and all together 44,5 kilo ! The first 60-liter-drum is completely filled now !! At 1.24 p.m. arrived (at last) the yesterday already announced Turtle Dove > see further over there.

August 31^st:  the leg-injury of “Strátos” is starting to become dry and he is using the leg already quite well. Just before breakfast-time (with threatening heavy-weather-clouds above our head) we were able to finish the last 2 bags of grapes: good for 9,5 kilo of clean grapes. In total we have now 54 kilo ready for pressing. And just before midday the 54 kilo was bruised by hand-power (poor back-bone) and was fermenting in two big barrels. If we’re lucky, we can sell next year to visitors the real “Lesbian Zoökomeio-wine 2006”. We had two visitors in the siesta: 1 from Greece and the other from Nepal. At 7.50 p.m. a phone-call from Mólivos about a small bird which had hit a window > something should be wrong with one wing. One is going to try to send the birdie tomorrow by coach (if still alive). At 11.20 p.m. a phone-call from Plomári about an injured Pelican > we’ll see tomorrow what to do .

Total amount of visitors this month:  062                      (total this year: 512)

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 172 (total this year 2393 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 21 [wild ones: 12; others 09], (total this year 216 > : wild ones 122, others 094; total since the start of registration in 1996: 3459),  of which:

COCK & CHICKEN (Gallus gallus dom.): the cock quite severe injured in both eyes (third eye-lids) > topical and “normal” antibiotics were given. The chicken had rhinotrachitis and a very swollen left sinus-hole > opened and antibiotics were given. The chicken went back to the owner in good health August 9^th. The Cock went back in good condition the 14^th.

LITTLE OWL (Athene noctua indigena): 1 adult from the “Little-Owl-Aviary” in “The Keep” > is missing left eye. Right leg quite deformed (can’t extend anymore) and was standing/walking on the heel. Talons as well too long > clipped. Heel was quite swollen (like “bumble-foot”) and with a thick crust > crust removed and Dermisol-cream was applied. (Is 05-164; came-in July 14^th ’05 with severe eye-injury) Discovered the 19^th that there is bumble-foot in the left leg as well > opened, pus removed and taped-in.

BARN OWL (Tyto a. a. X Tyto a. guttata): 1 quite young bird, discovered in the neighborhood of the “Mesa Sanctuary” > open (quite fresh) fracture of the left humerus, Injury closed with 2 agrafes and fracture splinted. Body-weight was only 280 gram and that’s really not enough.

(see as well August 10^th)

GOSHAWK (Accipiter gentilis): 1 young male (??) from Lámbou Míli > open (splintered) fracture of the left radius & ulna. Dermisol-solvens to get the injury clean and the wing was splinted. Antibiotics.

Further examinations during the afternoon (day of intake) showed however that the bird had as well clogged blood in the right nostril; both ears however were clean and without bleedings. The day after intake he showed “different” behavior (see August 9^th) and died in the afternoon.

LONG-LEGGED BUZZARD (Buteo rufinus): 1 juvenile male from the forests around Pelópi > is quite thin (only 610 gram). Probably again a “climate-change-victim” > trying to keep him alive.

Was the bird at intake laying on the floor complete lethargic, against 5 p.m. we had him (literally) “on his legs again”.

CANARY-BIRD (Serinus canaria dom): 1 male from our village > severe “bitten” by mosquito’s on both eyes.  Went in good condition back to the owners the 17^th.

PIGEON (Columba livia dom): 4; all four from Mytiléne. The first was send-in by a Vet. Is missing the tail-feathers, on the right wing almost all big feathers and has lost on the back as well most of the smaller feathers. Is looking further OK. And so he was. The 2^nd was announced by the Port-Police in the harbor of Mytiléne > wasn’t only “quite tousled”, but was smashed-up: open fracture right pulse, closed fracture right leg (just above the heel), is missing lots of feathers on the back, is missing the tail-feathers, had quite a lot of nylon-fiber around both feet (due to that one toe is dieing-off (??) and was as well covered with tar. Discovered dead the day after intake early in the morning. The 3^rd seemed to be chased by as well dogs and cats (bitten ? No injuries were to be found); was bone-thin and seems not able to fly as well. Observation and prophylactic Lincomycin (3 days) was given. Was already transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” the 27^th. The 4^th had a closed fracture of the right wing (radius & ulna) with lots of hemorrhages > was missing over there lots of feathers as well. Half of the tail was missing and as well lots of feathers had disappeared on the left wing. Later, with the evening-feeding-round, discovered that something seems to be wrong with the right leg as well.

KITTEN (Felis catus): 3; the first was an about 8-9 weeks old tom-cat from Pétra > was announced as “hit by a car”. However, it’s a severe rhinotrachitis. If possible, the women who discovered him, want to take him to Holland. After further examinations, when the poor creature was a little bit more quiet, is showed that there was a fracture of the under-jaw (symphysis) but as well a dislocation of both jaw-joints: now it’s the question if it’s worth while to continue, because the poor soul can’t shut it’s mouth. Here over we contacted the women. (see chiefly August 13^th  but as well August 18^th). The 2^nd came from Mandamádos, was about 3 months old and knocked-down by the man who took care of him: left front leg smashed with open injuries of the metacarpalia and digits 4 and 5. To start with Dermisol-solvens was used and antibiotics (Baytril 5%) were injected. Probably a (partial) amputation of the foot will be necessary. The left under eye-tooth is missing as well (partial jaw-fracture ??).

At changing of the bandages next day it showed that the thumb is as well (partially ??) missing (see as well August 17^th). Under total anesthetics the 18^th was removed lots of dead tissue and the foot is “remodeled” a bit. While changing the bandages on the 26^th it showed that the thumb was pressed through the foot-sole and that the thumb-nail is coming outside over there. This is a problem that will cause some real problems before it’s solved. The 3^rd was discovered on the island of Chíos and was in a bad condition (continuous diarrhoea). As well she seems to fall every time to one side (the left). Observation and let’s try to have her ready for transport into Holland the 25^th.  Has left the 23^rd from here.

DOG (Canis familiaris): 1 male from Skópelos > shot from close range. There was aimed only on the legs, because the body had no injuries. Bandages were given with anti-inflammatory fluid and medicines (as well anti-inflammatory) were given.

CAT (Felis catus): 1 “half-stray” from the L.W.H. “Foúrno”. About her is written enough in the meantime. Taken-in for sterilization (and probably an abortion). Was “delivered” the 16^th from as well the ovaries as from four (almost fully developed) kittens. We shouldn’t have waited much longer. Has chosen the day after the surgery for “freedom” again.

EASTERN HEDGE-HOG (Erinaceus concolor roum.): 1 female from our village; was discovered in the streets, drifting about, by some children. Was covered with fly-eggs, ticks and the left ear was swarming with maggots. As good and as much as possible parasites were removed. Seems to be visually handicapped as well. (see as well August 22^nd).

WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia): 2 juveniles from Eressós > the first with an immense fracture (already days old and with maggots) of the right upper-arm (humerus). Amputation was the only solution to save it’s life, because the pieces were only connected with dead tissue. However, the prognosis isn’t well.

Discovered dead in it’s cage early next morning. The 2^nd came-in one day after the first

and should be “not so severe injured” > didn’t show to be the case: blood in the beak, huge injury in the skin of the right wing (and stitching over there was quite difficult, because skin had disappeared and lots of tendons were visible), in-shot hole in the right pulse and there seemed to be an injury in the right leg. This injury showed to be 2 in-shot holes in the abdomen; just above the thigh. 

As well over here the prognosis isn’t so good.  Did we write the preceding text on the day of intake (22^nd), today (27^th) we could take the following picture of him/her:

BITCH (Canis familiaris): 1, about 1,5 year old one from Pétra > was hit (yesterday-evening) by a moped and couldn’t stand on the rear-legs anymore. After some tests one (of more) fractures of the pelvis was the most probable. The urine was nice clear (even on the trousers of one of us), but the abdomen was quite strained. As well 1 ampoule Konakion as 1 ampoule  Neurobion were injected. Because of her age, this can be cured with rest.

TURTLE DOVE (Streptopelia turtur): 1 adult, discovered ± August 25^th in the dry river-bed of the Evergetoúla-river close to Keramiá. Was shot: among other things an open fracture left wing (humerus). Was “treated” by the discoverer only with red chrome (is lethal for birds, but luckily he hadn’t used so much), and the bleeding fracture was left for 5 days without any treatment. Really a wonder the bird was still alive. Injury closed with 1 stitch, splint & hanging-cast were given. As well antibiotics were injected.