San Francisco Falcons: May-December 2010

mwplay · **Joined:** Sun Feb 28, 2010 1:15 am **Posts:** 10250

Latest Aleta update from SF Forum:

First let me say that you people are too much. I just returned from the veterinary office and fed Aleta (at my house) and rec'd a message from the university gift processing office that $450 have arrived in support of Aleta's care. The bill was $571 so you are well on the way to covering that--I am so grateful. I really am touched.

Here is the story. Peninsula Humane Society was happy to provide her to me so that I could take her to an avian veterinary specialist. Aleta is alert. Her pupils are not fixed or dilated. She just cannot stand--and that is a big "just." It COULD mean that euthanasia is still in her future--I want to be completely honest with you--so we are in a "wait and see" mode. It is likely that we will not all agree on this, but I do not believe in the incarceration, for life, of injured wild animals that are not fit to survive in the wild. They are not "pets" and do not do well in that situation. (Sophie? I raised her to be tame, not wild) We put Aleta on gas so that she was completely sedated during the xray procedure and examination. There are no fractures but her lower spine has some sort of injury. A consulting veterinarian who specializes in reading radiographs will review the films and give us an opinion about her future.

Until then, I will care for her. She just ate a good meal--perhaps her first in two days. I cut up a quail and moistened it in water. She took the tidbits eagerly from my fingers while in a prone position. I sent Glenn Nevill a photo a few minutes ago so perhaps he can put it in a place where you can see it.

I very much want to have good news for you but in this case, we just do not know. Lets give it several days and see what the avian vets conclude. She has suffered severe trauma. Had this happened in nature, she would starve to death or be eaten by some predator. At least we are able to keep her comfortable until she heals or goes "over the great divide" as my friend, Morley Nelson, used to say. All best, --glenn@scpbrg

There is a photo on the Yahoo group. Here's the link:

http://tinyurl.com/aleta-feeding

She's so beautiful. Sad to see this. Hoping for a good outcome.

bev. · **Posted:** Fri Jun 04, 2010 6:19 pm

I cannot see the photo????

catwoman · **Posted:** Fri Jun 04, 2010 7:08 pm

Thanks for the update, Michele! Yes, she is very beautiful! Hoping & praying for a full recovery for her...

Dutch Eagle Fan · **Posted:** Fri Jun 04, 2010 7:18 pm

bev. wrote:

I cannot see the photo????

I can't either. I end up on the sign-in page of the Yahoo group.

mwplay · **Joined:** Sun Feb 28, 2010 1:15 am **Posts:** 10250

Here's the picture from Yahoo Groups:

ljames · **Posted:** Fri Jun 04, 2010 8:48 pm

Thanks catwoman for the picture, I couldn't get it either. What a little beauty and such a shame these things happen to them. Lower spine injury doesn't sound good to me. She looks calm in that picture eating. Thanks mwplay for those updates from Glenn. Sounds like they intend to give her a chance, but a wild falcon not free and not healthy, I don't know. Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst here.

bev. · **Posted:** Fri Jun 04, 2010 11:01 pm

She is so gorgeous and I am going to light a candle for her and pray for her.

catwoman · **Posted:** Sat Jun 05, 2010 9:39 am

If Aleta has to be euthanized, I believe its going to be as hard on the biologist, Glenn Stewart, as anyone else. He seems to have a special bond with Aleta. In addition to having her at his home right now & hand-feeding her, here is a picture of when he returned her to the nest ledge after she came to ground one or two days after fledging. Yes, he just carried her back there--no box for this little darlin'!

(This is one of the photos posted on the SF forum by Glenn.)

bev. · **Posted:** Sat Jun 05, 2010 11:34 am

you do get so attached to them. After rescuing a few last year, you feel like their special protector.

I am praying and that is so cute of him with her.

Biologists ,for the most part ,just pick them up. I know ours do.

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 64771

I have finally caught up here...(I'm so behind)...this is just very sad news...I do hope they discover that her spinal injury is just due to swelling that will subside...but I too will prepare for the worse...I always think a good appetite is a good sign and she must not be in too much pain..I hope the avian vet will have good news...she looks like such a sweetheart...

Vera · **Joined:** Sat Sep 26, 2009 10:59 pm **Posts:** 70

Hi All, just checked in and caught up on all your pics and posts. Thank you all for keeping up to the minute on Aleta's condition. I guess we can only do so much for these young ones that we care so much about, and hope for the best. I'm glad She is being cared for by Glenn S. and know that he will give her every chance for full recovery. Like all of you, I'm praying for the best, but preparing for the worst. Lets hold a good thought for our other three juvies, and may they fly high and stay safe !!

catwoman · **Posted:** Mon Jun 07, 2010 5:27 pm

Just checked & there is no update on Aleta's condition. I keep dreading reading the updates cause I'm afraid of what's going to happen, but like the rest of you I'll hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

Vera · **Joined:** Sat Sep 26, 2009 10:59 pm **Posts:** 70

Glenn Stewart posted a while ago that Aleta passed away today. I feel so bad for our beautiful girl. She and Ziva were so sweet to watch sitting on the ledge together. Wishing our three other juvies safe passage.

bev. · **Posted:** Mon Jun 07, 2010 11:43 pm

I cannot express how awful I feel. :cry:

and I feel really bad for Glenn. she was a beauty. May her spirit fly free as was intended.

this is what I dread about this time of year. to me if it happens and they are in natural surroundings then it is nature, but in urban settings it is not nature.

Knorrie · **Posted:** Tue Jun 08, 2010 5:00 pm

Found this post at Yahoo forum.
It is from Anna, Glenn Stewart's wife:

""I notice several post....seeking information about Aleta's passing. While in our care, Aleta was well fed, hydrated and every effort was made to keep her comfortable.

Monday afternoon, I called Glenn to report on her....I could sense a change. I'll admit, I was crying....and you all know how calming Glenn can be during stressful times....well, he encouraged me to protect myself from the event but I couldn't leave her alone.

Aleta was a magnificent creature....I was able to hold her gently. Her passing was very peaceful....very subtle change in the intensity of her gaze...her deep brown eyes dulled.....and that was it. Very dignified.

Like most of you, My life has also been enriched through Glenn's passionate involvement with raptors and of course the Peregrine falcons in particular. I hope my post brings you the peace I felt being with Aleta in her final moments.

Anna""

Aleta

catwoman · **Posted:** Tue Jun 08, 2010 5:31 pm

Thanks for that post, Tine. It did comfort me that Aleta wasn't alone when she passed & she was with someone who loved her. Very nice of Anna to post about Aleta's final moments. :cry:

Dutch Eagle Fan · **Posted:** Tue Jun 08, 2010 8:15 pm

How comforting to know that her passing was peaceful and that she was surrounded with love and respect in her final days. "Embraced" by Anne's hands she crossed over.
"Free from the earthly bonds, she is soaring the eternal heavens."

ljames · **Posted:** Tue Jun 08, 2010 8:37 pm

Oh my word, Anna's post made me cry, it was so touching. What a kind person she must be. I am glad that Aleta was comforted in the end and got to experience what it was like to be a falcon flying free and happy for a short while. :cry:

kittenface · **Posted:** Tue Jun 08, 2010 8:44 pm

ljames wrote:

Oh my word, Anna's post made me cry, it was so touching. What a kind person she must be. I am glad that Aleta was comforted in the end and got to experience what it was like to be a falcon flying free and happy for a short while. :cry:

I cried too, its hard not to.
It was so nice to know she was with someone that loved her so much at the end

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 64771

...gosh...made me cry too...I am so thankful that she was not alone and that it was peaceful...I don't think any creature should have to be alone when they die...so that was a great gift that Anna gave...

Thanks for letting us know Tine..

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