den: (rescues)
den ([personal profile] den) wrote2006-11-26 12:08 pm

Unreleases

When I went to feed the last little peewee in a cage, I was very surprised to discover he had a visitor. The white-plumed honey eater has squeezed between the bars to snuggle beside his baby bro. They must have slept together last night, just like they used to in the small cage. I set up the nectar feeding station and a slice of pear, and he went to town on the sweet food, stopping only to beg for some peewee food. He is quite free to come and go; quite often I see him perching outside the cage. The bars are too small for peewees but not too small for honey eaters.

One of the magpies I release has returned. He looks a bit beat-up and seems very depressed. He landed in front of an open cage and walked inside, hopped onto a branch and hunched down. I put food and water inside but he doesn't look good. There are no avian vets here and the zoovets are shut on Sundays. I'll have to get him out there tomorrow.

Chloraform is no longer available to the public. Looks like Dr Death will have to retire or switch to bottled CO2.

[identity profile] goodluckfox.livejournal.com 2006-11-26 01:48 am (UTC)(link)
Whyfor no longer available to the public? Can't you get a license or waiver? Surely you can play your "I'm the Bat Bloke(tm)" reputation, if not directly upon a provider, at least upon some middle government functionary who CAN influence the provider of chloraform.

[identity profile] goodluckfox.livejournal.com 2006-11-26 01:48 am (UTC)(link)
I mean, seriously, you're not really "the public."

[identity profile] dewhitton.livejournal.com 2006-11-26 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
It's considered "too dangerous," which is the same reason why I can't buy ether.

[identity profile] goodluckfox.livejournal.com 2006-11-26 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
Can you get the licensing you need? I don't think CO2 poisoning is a good way to go...

[identity profile] dewhitton.livejournal.com 2006-11-26 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
CO2 is actually recommended as the most humane way to do it. The trouble is you need a delivery system, and it takes a lot of time. Chloroform delivery is by a wad of tissue in an empty toilet roll. It takes 5 minutes.

My pharmacist is looking for a supply for me.

[identity profile] kreggan.livejournal.com 2006-11-27 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
Time to synthesize something.

[identity profile] tavella.livejournal.com 2006-11-26 03:17 am (UTC)(link)
Aww! interspecies bonding.

Glad Polly is all right.

[identity profile] stoda.livejournal.com 2006-11-26 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
A good can of "Start, Damn You!" rapid-start kind of stuff is a great source of ether, and very effective for that sort of thing.

At least, that's how it's formulated here in the states.

[identity profile] redfishie.livejournal.com 2006-11-26 12:57 pm (UTC)(link)
ooh...you are seen as a refuge by the birds even after they leave. that's just sweet.

[identity profile] sanderling.livejournal.com 2006-11-26 03:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't you have a wildlife rehabbers license? I'm surprised that rehabbers wouldn't qualify as almost-vets and be eligible to use such products. I know one of the criteria for getting a rehabber license her in Ontario is the facilities necessary to both humanely put down animals and to store/dispose of their bodies if/after they've died.

[identity profile] dewhitton.livejournal.com 2006-11-26 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm supposed to use CO2 now. Chrloroform is considered too toxic.

[identity profile] lizardling.livejournal.com 2006-11-27 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Awww - the magpie knows you're the one to come to! Crossing fingers that you can figure out whatever's wrong with him.