Releasing More Rehabilitated Animals

We’ve been working with the local authorities to rehabilitate and release several different species, among them a long-eared owl and a tatu (or armadillo). For this week’s Sunday Smile, we wanted to share information about their progress and how they were released.

The owl was found as a baby and, other than him being young and underweight, he was relatively healthy. We have a series of flight cages that we use to determine a bird’s ability to fly normally, hunt, and generally act as a bird should act in nature. Although there was no notable reason why, initially his weight declined slightly when put in the largest cage. We returned him to the smaller one and gave him some more time before shifting him to the next step. Once he was put in the larger flight cage again, he did very well, he gained weight, built up significant muscle, and had great flight control, so we released him. He has a really strong hunting instinct, so we believe he should do well. We actually saw him just last night, outside of the office gate, perched atop a tree, scoping out the area for food. He looks great.

As for the tatu, we’re not sure what caused his injuries, but he came to the rehabilitation program with a severe road rash. That’s not something that takes an extensive amount of time to heal, so he was only with us for a few weeks. Since we couldn’t find out where he was initially found, we released him towards the back of the property near some mango trees, which attract bugs that are delicious to armadillos, so he seemed ready to go and feast on what was available to him.

P.S.: If you’d like to learn more about GSE’s rehabilitation and release program, you can read up on our work on our website.

Comments(7)

Pamela Hall says
October 22, 2023 at 3:22 pm
Your hearts are too big to measure
Lori Hoover says
October 22, 2023 at 6:31 pm
As I’ve always been interested in South American wildlife and thoroughly enjoy hearing about your rehab patients, I went to check out the link to the rehab page.
First off: I cannot believe it’s been almost a year and a half since Sweet Alma the Anta passed away. I may have never met her, but I loved her just as much as the elephant girls that I have never had the pleasure of meeting. I still do, and I am still grateful for all the care you gave her. You gave her a place to belong and live a good life.
Second: I noticed mention of an anteater in rehab with her offspring? I was wondering if that was a recent, current case? I know and understand that the page isn’t always updated. Either way, I was wondering, past or present case with the anteaters………..how things are or were with them? I will wish them, and your recent releases………well. They are lucky to have a new start in such a beautiful place.
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  October 22, 2023 at 10:56 pm
  anteaters are present, but not 100% out of the woods at this point. they were a hit by car. we took them after an over a month long hospital stay. we’ll try to post once they are more settled, and hopefully they do well.
Julie says
October 22, 2023 at 7:42 pm
He looks great! Thank you for ALL of your good work!
Sherry says
October 22, 2023 at 9:10 pm
I love all of the animals and birds too. Thank you for taking care of these creatures. Here in NC USA where I live we have a bird sanctuary. They do a fabulous job with the injured birds and some birds live at the sanctuary. A Bald Eagle was found on the highway injured and rehabilitated, but he can’t fly so he lives at our nature sea aquarian . He is beautiful!
Lori Hoover says
October 23, 2023 at 9:23 am
Thank you so much for the answers, and I will keep my fingers crossed for them.
SHEILA says
November 1, 2023 at 2:03 pm
THANK U KAT FOR TELLING US ABOUT REHABING OTHER ANIMALS AND BIRDS. I LOVE OWLS.🦉 THESE REHABBED OWLS WILL DO VERY WELL AT GESB

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