CROW releases 5,000th patient for year
On Oct. 21, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife reported that it released its 5,000th patient of the year, following 28 days of supportive care. It has admitted and successfully released four magnificent frigatebirds this year. The adult male released last week was admitted after it was found waterlogged. X-rays and flight tests revealed dislocation and swelling of the distal phalanx at the interphalangeal joint, which is comparable to the fingertips in humans. He was given supportive splints and was closely monitored until he could move into a large enclosure for flight conditioning. CROW Wildlife Rehabilitator Morgan Hester did the honors of sending him back out to the wild. Releasing these birds off a bridge gives them the best chance of catching a thermal to glide out to sea.