I want to thank the Herald for the great story about Scott the Golden Eagle (Herald, May 9). I am so fortunate to be able to help with the rehabilitation of these fabulous raptors. However, without Durango Animal Hospital, and Chuck Hawman in particular, there would be few if any severely injured wildlife to rehabilitate. Most severely injured wildlife – from baby bears to hummingbirds – would not survive without the Durango Animal Hospital office staff and veterinarians’ care.
The DAH business day is constantly interrupted with injured wildlife coming through the front and back doors of the clinic. In the spring, five wild animals a day is not unusual. The employees of the clinic are so gracious, filling out the endless paperwork, feeding, warming, X-raying, medicating and performing surgeries, great and small, helping the injured wildlife, in addition to conducting a full daily domestic animal schedule. All medicines, time and materials is a free gift to Durango’s wild things. The clinic does not charge for any of these services.
Scott, the Golden Eagle, is eating on his own with his totally bisected lower beak repaired by Dr. Hawman. He would have starved without surgery. He was returned to his Mancos home range Thursday.
The driver that hit him and left him on the road could have stopped and called Colorado Parks and Wildlife with no fear of penalty – a good Samaritan is always admired. I admire Scott Gregerson. He stopped and called Parks and Wildlife.
Remember, these animals are very dangerous to approach, but a phone call is easy. Whoever answers can tell you what to do or arrange for someone to help. Here are some resources for help with injured wildlife:
Colorado Parks and Wildlife: 247-0855.
Durango Animal Hospital: 247-3174.
After hours, call Colorado State Patrol (all wildlife), (970) 249-4392.
Doug Sitter (raptors): 769-1703.
Pat Jackson (songbirds/water birds): 946-7452.
Carole Withers (raptors): 946-9608.
Carole Withers
Durango
