 |
| Photo by Vickie Henderson |
Doc is a male non-flighted, state-permitted American kestrel, the smallest falcon to live in the Americas. He weighs roughly four ounces. Doc was rescued and brought into UT Veterinary Hospital last January with a badly broken and infected right wing and was treated by Dr. Cheryl Greenacre. His name honors her. He then spent time healing and on antibiotics with local wildlife rehabilitator Lynne McCoy.
Doc has now recovered and under my care, but is non-releasable because he cannot fly. He will serve as a wildlife ambassador for the State of Tennessee the rest of his life. I have an education permit for us to travel and raise kestrel awareness.
The kestrel population has declined 66 percent since 1966 and no one is sure why. Probably habit loss plays a role since they prefer grasslands and meadows, but as is the case with other birds in decline there are probably other factors.
Doc has now recovered and under my care, but is non-releasable because he cannot fly. He will serve as a wildlife ambassador for the State of Tennessee the rest of his life. I have an education permit for us to travel and raise kestrel awareness.
The kestrel population has declined 66 percent since 1966 and no one is sure why. Probably habit loss plays a role since they prefer grasslands and meadows, but as is the case with other birds in decline there are probably other factors.
Thanks, Tim. You have some truly great students.
•
No comments:
Post a Comment