March 2005

Total amount of visitors this month:  203                                 (total this year: 225)

GENERAL NEWS:

March 1^st:  the dead Mallard (05-022) moved to the freezer, awaiting a “tasty solution” for its mortal remains. 2 Kilo small fishes were bought for Máki > the bigger ones one has to wriggle literally  through his throat.

The two “de-mothered” cats from Eftaloú are returned to their “feeders”. At the same spot one new was delivered (in stead of the two which should come; the other had seen what’s coming and “went for a walk”. Will once come !)

March 2^nd:  sterilization of the cat from Eftaloú. We had to buy fish again (329 smaller fishes): since the arrival of the first Pelican on February 9^th we spent already the amount of Euro 132,50 for fishes !! Also because of that we made contact with a fisherman / fish-monger in Kallonís, who wants to take care of Pelli  from next week on. We can’t do anything anymore with the wing. We removed the splint by the Chicken (05-020; February ’05) > the fracture is healed. Now some days of practice & physiotherapies and she can leave.

March 3^rd:  early in the morning, at 08.05 o’clock, both Foxes (Dog-fox, 04-105; June ’04 from Mytiléne, and Vixen, 04-116; June ’04 from Plomári) were caught and placed in transport-benches in the kitchen of the House-next-door. As well the Hooded Crow (04-215, September ’04 from Mytiléne; shot) was placed around midday in its transportation-bench. All three animals/birds were released well in the afternoon.

March 4^th:  the last day of our volunteer here > she has “stand” us for 5 months and has been a great help by all kind of duties. Early in the morning first to the fish-monger: 301 fishes for Euro 30 !!  Started with the restoration of the Aviary for the Little Owls in “The Keep” (was totally demolished by the 2 Foxes > see November 28^th 2004). The damaged netting is removed and the first layer of “more bite-proof” netting is placed.

March 5^th:  very early in the morning (05.20 o’clock !) our volunteer left (we hope she’ll have a quicker trip than our “worker-volunteer” [see February 24^th], but because of the weather-conditions in The Netherlands we fear for the worst !!); together with the cat Psipsína (04-062; May 2004 from Mandamádos; leg-amputation after “neglect” ) who will be re-homed at her place.  At 11.30 o’clock it was so far that the two remaining Little Owls could be re-homed in their old Aviary. From the side of the Foxes-cage, the “netting” is now: grille of 2 mm thick iron (strips; 2 cm broad) with “loopholes” from about 10 x 10 cm, 3 cm free space and than first coarse netting with there over fine netting. The last to be sure the Little Owls can’t enter the coarse loopholes. This should be sufficient, we hope.

March 6^th:  we discovered the BRAMBLING (02-011; January 2002 from Kavála [close to Sallonica]; that time shot & remained disabled) dead in the Aviary with a destroyed skull (bitten by rats ??). So the rat-problem is starting to be more & more problematic !! We decided to build as quickly as possible a temporary aviary in the hall of the 2^nd floor of the House-next-door, to have the possibility to make the Aviary in our yard rat-free and more rain-protected. In the meantime we started with building > as basement was used the frame of an old Greek bed (discovered on the rubbish-dump)

Early in the morning, at 07.45 o’clock we discovered that in our Apothíki (say: storage-cellar, with a.o. food for the dogs & cats), due to rat-holes in the wall, we had an immense inundation > the water came from the outside through holes in the loam in between the rocks of the wall. So at 08.00 o’clock we were sitting on our knees filling the holes (pieces of glass and concrete).

March 7^th:  started with a trip to the fish-monger: 109 bigger fishes for Euro 20. As well we bought some materials for the temporary aviary. At 12.00 o’clock the skeleton for that aviary was almost ready > we had to shorten the height, because otherwise it should has been impossible to fasten in the hall the netting on the cage.

March 8^th:   we are already busy with the netting of the temporary aviary. Around midday an idle trip to pick-up an injured (??) House-marten > somewhere in the “bush-bush” in between Skála Kallonís and Parákoila. The discoverer was waiting for us at the Agrotikí Stégi (with his pants full of . . . .) > didn’t have the courage to catch the animal. In a ruinous stable were stored tens of bags full of wood-chips > try to find something over there !! On our way back we were stopped by someone who had seen this “enormous” creature besides the path > of course nothing to be seen !!

March 9^th:  we discovered a Spanish Sparrow (from 2003 ??) in a bad condition in the Aviary > died some hours later. The White Pelican “Pelli” is turned over at 12.10 o’clock in the care of the Fisherman’s Society of Skála Kallonís (as a Tourist Attraction). In the siesta a Goat-lamb was brought: some days old; discovered abandoned & soaking wet in the forest. We agreed with the Shelter (in formation) in Skála Eressóu, that we should “treat” every week some stray cats (including tattoo in the ear).

March 10^th: the CHICKEN with the broken leg (05-020; February ’05) is problematic: the fracture is healed, but in spite of exercises the leg remains lamed. The temporary aviary needs only the bottom-closure to be perfect. While we were busy building this one, we had on several places pieces of board with rat-glue on it (we can’t use poison > too dangerous for the other animals) > this afternoon we heard bumping > one of those bird-murderers had glued himself > with a good shot (caliber .22) stopped his/her suffering. Measure from nose till tail was 39 cm > so a “smaller” one.

March 11^th:  at 10.20 o’clock the White Pelican “Máki” was delivered in a 100% condition “at home”. The road towards was difficult due to rain- & snowfall (the mountains were WHITE !!) and by some landslides  > the road made hard going. At 12.00 o’clock all (?? The yellow Palm-weavers [known by all our visitors] weren’t seen) birds went over to the temporary aviary. One of the palm-weavers later discovered. In the afternoon the Chicken (see March 10^th) was taken back by its owner > is going to be kept in a small cage; only for the eggs. We feel sorry for her.

March 12^th:  we had to give again feeding- & treatment advices (by E-mail) to a girl (woman ??) in Ontario (Canada) > it concerns a Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura).  Started with the demolishing of the Aviary in our court-yard.

March 13^th:  the Lamb is starting to try standing on her rear-legs !! The poor soul however has a huge umbilical hernia, which is enlarging > so a soon surgery will be necessary. And don’t think any Vet over here is willing to perform such a surgery (they will say: “Slaughter > is tasty !!” ).

At 11.15 o’clock the old aviary (built in 2001) was completely “flat”.

We want to inform you about the back of “Maria”: the part where she was allergic for the used stitches has a thicker scar than we hoped it would be. The second surgery had a better scar > line-thin. However, we hope the hair will fall over the scars. Decided is not to sterilize her here, but this should be done in Holland > this because of the allergy for stitches.

As well today a CHICKEN (from Ágia Paraskeví) > should lump with one leg > checked and nothing strange discovered. And a PUPPY ( from Skála Kallonís) > hit by a car (??) > is lumping with one rear-leg > no fractures were found. Advices were given how to treat the poor soul. Both animals not in the statistics.

March 14^th:  the Lamb has left her basket for the first time (by her own > so there is hope !!). Because of the coming surgery we had to buy “Pampers” for her (and all shops are closed due to Carnival over here !) to protect the surgery-wound as much as possible against infections.

The grille of the Fox-cage (see March 5^th) is fastened together with “blind rivets” > now no fox can pass anymore.

In the afternoon there arrived an African Grey Parrot from Mytiléne > the owners had already visited 3 Vets, but no results.

March 15^th:  started with the surgery on the Lamb. Hereafter 1 cubic meter sand and 100 kilo cement “decently” stored / told where to store. Hereby the driver was with his truck almost electrocuted > unloading his tail-board demolished the electricity-clock of the house opposite us > the full charge was still present !! Very carefully made a beginning with making the walls of the old aviary rat-free > started with the niche from where all trouble began.

March 16^th:  started with a cat and a Tom-cat (de-mothering & de-fathering).  Hereafter brick-laying in the niche in the old aviary: was closed at 12.30 o’clock. Just before the siesta to the Shell-Petrol-station to pick-up a bird > showed te be a Bittern. Moreover, in the afternoon there suddenly was a “lady” in our court-yard, accompanied by two lads. She pretended the Goat-lamb belonged to her; it was already 6 weeks old [it still had the umbilical cord when it arrived here !] and that the whole story about  “abandoned & soaking wet in the forest” was made up. However, the two lads knew perfectly well how the lamb looked like (they had seen it in our kitchen) and one of the two had already a bottle with milk with a nipple on it in his hands !! So those three persons were send outside with nothing achieved > we can smell a Billy-goat without seeing him !!

Tomorrow we’ll have a visit from a school with 200 children !! May the good Lord help us !!

March 17^th:  we had the whole primary school from Kallonís for an excursion: 180 children & 12 adults  > we have survived . . . . . !! (and that all on the street before our home). Hereafter continued with the restoration of the aviary in our court-yard > replacing of shelves, pointing, scratching or chipping, again pointing . . . . . till the cement ran out and a back let us down.

March 18^th:  started with a sterilization and a castration. Hereafter continued with the wall of the aviary. All medium and large Tortoises came today out of hibernation and are re-homed outside: the 2 large TESTUDO MARGINATA’S in the aviary, together with the Falcons, while 7 medium and smaller TESTUDO GRAECA IBERA’S (under which some born over here) are lodged in the aviary with the Crow-family-members. The smallest ones (“vintages” 2003 & 2004) are still in the terrarium.

March 19^th:  started with assistance by a just born filly > the umbilical cord wasn’t broken correctly (on the field behind our house). Hereafter pointing etc. on the wall. Later in the morning to the Agrotikí Stégi in Kallonís for chipping of the bitch Maria. As well vaccinated against Rabies. For the second time this morning assisted by the Veterinary team over there: now not a foal, but an injured dog. Hereafter continued with the wall > is now ready for 75%. The whole morning we could hear in the Crow-Aviary the sound of two mating Tortoises. While in the evening Ineke was to the airport to pick-up two new volunteers, we heard again a strange sound coming from the release-cage of the Barn Owls > there was again a huge rat stuck in the glue > same therapy as March 10^th > shot.

March 20^th:  we could release well the Bittern, and in the same trip we looked how “Pelli” was doing > OK !! We were 8 hours without electricity > “pretty cold” so to say without Central Heating !!

March 21^st:  we started the day with the dog “Protos” > clipping of too long nails; a lot of dental plaque (as well removed one element) and some warts removed on two eye-lids. This all under total-anesthetic, because this is necessary for this “neurotic”.

By cleaning of the aviaries in “The Keep” we discovered an injured White Barn Owl > ugly injury in the mouth. Taken-in again and  antibiotics were given. The juvenile Rock Dove (05-021; February ’05) went this morning to the Pigeon-Aviary in “The Keep”. The part of the wall that was yesterday “scratched by a volunteer, was pointed today. We are on 75% now.

March 22^nd: while the three ladies were busy buying meat in Kallonís, over here the whole old aviary was almost emptied till the bottom & scratched. Hereafter to the rubbish-dump to dump all debris. Over there we discovered an almost perfect terrarium > taken back with us for restoration and use in the future. One of the volunteers discovered some kitchen-tools, which can be used in the kitchen of the house-next-door. Late in the afternoon done (again) a little bit pointing the wall.

March 23^rd:  for 20 Euro the whole terrarium has new glass. Measures are: 57 x 42 cm, by 38 cm high > so a pretty huge one. If the heating-system is still working, we’ll discover later. The old aviary in our court-yard is so far now, we can point the last part and make it mouse-free (the part by the trunk of the vine). In siesta-time to the Shell-station to pick-up a bird from Eressós.

March 24^th:  we started the day by moving over all transportable pieces of iron from the Wildpark to the Hospital. There are only left now very long pieces, we must do by hand !! Hereafter in a 2^nd and 3^rd session all undulated pieces of roof-iron were brought to here and stored safely > most of it can be used by the Shelter (in formation) in Skála Eressóu. Again in the siesta-time (!!) to pick-up an “Eagle Owl” > showed to be a Barn Owl !! This while special planes were busy trying to extinguish (at least) four immense forest-fires in the mountains  between the Gulf of Géras and the Gulf of Kallonís.  In the evening we heard a loud squeaking, coming from the ceiling of the Sick-Bay > in total 5 rats stuck in the glue. The last three had already half eaten the first two > a pair of tongs and again some “killers” less.

March 25^th:  at 05.00 in the morning we discovered that all the stitches on “MeiMei” were gone > so an open belly and that means: cleaning and stitching again. The Barn Owl was still alive.

After we performed the surgeries, we had a better look at the “rubbish-terrarium” > the whole electric system was still intact & was working !!.

March 26^th:  the juvenile Rock-Dove (see March 21^st) stopped being a patient. While the 3 “Ladies” were busy “making Mytiléne unsafe” (buying food for the animals and also for us), we put glass in 2 windows in guest-room nr. 3. Due to the rain we couldn’t work outside. Around midday we could point the last part, and as well the trunk of the vine was made mouse-free. At 8 o’clock in the evening an injured Song-Thrush was brought-in > see by that name.

March 37^th:  begin of the summer-time. The Song-Thrush of yesterday-evening was still alive and very lively. The Barn Owl isn’t doing well > see by Barn Owl. We used the good weather brick-laying the basement for the new Aviary; as well we started with the floating-water-supply.

March 28^th: as well the Song Thrush as the Barn Owl were still alive. The Barn Owl is fed now 5 times a day and only with “soft food” > had gained some weight last day. The basement is ready and we started already with the iron parts. Today we received our three thousandth registered patient.

March 29^th:  the in the mouth injured Barn Owl (see March 21^st ) went back to the aviary in “The Keep”. We made good efforts with the frame of the aviary > measuring, cutting, de-rusting, painting and placing.

March 30^th:  the three planned sterilizations/castrations for the Shelter in formation in Skála Eressoú didn’t happen > there were no transportation-facilities available. We could continue with constructing of the Aviary. In the siesta we went to Kallonís for (let’s hope) the last surgery on the goat-lamb. See further by her own part.

March 31^st:  on our way back from Mytiléne we bought some “green” for the new Aviary. Again an African Grey Parrot was brought for treatment. 

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 289 (total this year 635 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 19 [wild ones: 4; others 15], (total this year 046 > : wild ones 018, others 028; total since the start of registration in 1996: 3001),  of which:

CAT (Felis catus): 2; the first from Eftaloú (same care-takers as the two from February; as well same intake-reason). Is without any problem neutered the day after intake and the same day back to Eftaloú. The second came from Mólivos > poisoned (was bleeding internally) > put down.

STRAY CATS (Felis catus): 6; four Tom-cats and two cats from the Shelter (in formation) in Skála Eressóu > all five deprived from the possibilities to enlarge the problem of the strays. In the afternoon back to where they came from (first session) and during the morning ditto (second session). The fourth Tom-cat was neutered early in the morning and went back afterwards > they stayed and waited till it was done.

GOAT LAMB (Capra hircus): 1, some days old girl (see March 9^th) > can’t stand on her legs (due to ??).

Bottle-feeding & observation. (see also March 13^th ). Had her surgery March 15^th. Started walking quite well the 16^th!! After some advices of the Vet.-team of the Agrotikí Stégi (after assistance by the filly) we gave her some days anti-biotics, because she had an immense arthritis in the joint of the right front-leg > the 22^nd she was walking almost perfect!! Even so perfect, that against night-fall she ran in one movement upstairs into the first floor !!.

Because the umbilical hernia was enlarging again, she had a second surgery on the 30^th in the Agrotikí Stégi. The whole surgery took more than 90 minutes !!

AFRICAN GREY PARROT (Psittacus erithracus): 2, the first was an adult (female ??) from Mytiléne > severe digestion-disturbances. Is a feather-picker as well > is hardly looking like a Parrot without all feathers. The condition is hardly “optimum”. Put under a red lamp for heating. Was that evening very “lively” but discovered dead next morning. The second came from Kallonís and was in a terrible condition as well > under more a bronchopneumonia , but as well bleeding nails due to copper roosts !! So wait and see if we can do something.

BITTERN (Botaurus stellaris): 1 adult; discovered by soldiers somewhere in Mytiléne  > should be injured, but by first inspection nothing discovered > so observation..

Information from Holland told us it should be a female. Was released well in the pool opposite the Hotel Kallonis II.

CATS (Felis catus): 2 from the L.W.H. in Ágia Paraskeví > the first was  MeiMei (ex 04-184B; August 2004) who was de-mothered. The second was Dourak (ex 04-234; October 2004) who was de-fathered. The cat “MeiMei” had again a surgery on March 25^th > see that date.

SONG-THRUSH (Turdus philomelos): 2; the first from Eressoú > was discovered in the morning and at last delivered at the L.W.H. in the siesta. The right eye is reacting slower than the left eye and the bird is tumbling > cerebral ??  Discovered dead the 24^th in its cage. Was, according to information from Holland, a female. The second van discovered in the neighborhood of Mória > open fracture of the right wing (radius & ulna); plus (probably) brain-damage (there are missing feathers on the head and both eyes are goggling) > so observation. The swellings were diminishing since the 29^th . The 31^st there was no swelling any more !!

BARN OWL (Tyto a. alba x Tyto a. guttata): this morning discovered in a garden in one of the more luxurious parts of Mytiléne > no injuries discovered, but he/she is under-weighted: only 278 gram in stead of 290-340 gram for a male or 330-460 gram for a female.  

And because information from Holland told us it is a female, she is very under-weighted.  Had the bird gained weight in 2 days (22 grams !!), the third day in the morning we discovered she had vomited all the given food and the body-weight was now 286 gram. So the prognosis is more unfavorable now !!

DOG (Canis familiaris): 1; Yule (ex-04-260; December 2004) > twice a huge “Koh-i-Noor” was removed.

BLUE PEACOCK (Pavo cristata): 1 very beautiful cock from Pámfila > severe breathing-problems > couldn’t stand on his legs anymore. Put on antibiotics and dextrose was given in high concentrations. Is patient number three thousand since the beginning of registration in 1996. Hadn’t been eating for days and days; so he was bone- & bone-thin. After some doses of Dextrose he was standing on his legs again. One day after intake the breathing-problems had already diminished.