A leucistic white raven remains on an B次元官网网址榰pward trajectoryB次元官网网址� since arriving at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRC) in Errington last spring.
As animal care supervisor Derek Downes said although Blizzard - named so for his snow-white feathers B次元官网网址� is doing well, they still put much consideration into his stress levels and ongoing health risks related to his immune system.
B次元官网网址淗e was in a pretty bad way when he came in. But as heB次元官网网址檚 progressed over the winter, itB次元官网网址檚 pretty safe to say that heB次元官网网址檚 a non-releasable bird at this point,B次元官网网址� said Downes.
As a juvenile raven, Blizzard was in rough shape when he was brought into the recovery centre in late May of 2021. Downes said he was found on the ground, unable to fly, with numerous infected wounds all over his body.
B次元官网网址淗e was basically at the point of emaciation. We had to tube-feed him, had to have him on multiple courses of antibiotics. And we finally ended up clearing up those infections,B次元官网网址� he said.
After spending approximately seven months at NIWRC, Blizzard is able to fly but due to the leucism Downes believes the lack of melanin is detrimental to the birdB次元官网网址檚 overall feather integrity and has made them rather brittle.
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In terms of permanent residency at the recovery centre, Downes said theyB次元官网网址檙e uncertain at this time but will continue to monitor his progress and manage his stress levels.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e still not 100 per cent sure what his situation is going to be because white ravens donB次元官网网址檛 typically do very good in the wild. And just the nature of him; heB次元官网网址檚 not a great flyer and he had a lot of health issues when he was younger B次元官网网址� susceptibility to infection,B次元官网网址� he said, adding that theyB次元官网网址檙e also undecided if Blizzard will ever be in the viewable section of the centre.
B次元官网网址淲ith animals like Blizzard, with underlying health issues, we just want to be really sure that theyB次元官网网址檙e doing well before even entertaining the idea of putting them on public display. Being in public display can be a lot of stress, and so they have to be transitioned,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪tress is a trigger for immunity as well. If youB次元官网网址檙e under a lot of stress, you can be more susceptible to infections and things like that.B次元官网网址�
For the time being, Blizzard will remain behind the scenes in his own private indoor and outdoor enclosures. Downes said he seems to favour prime cuts of red meat, deconstructing his cedar boughs to pass the time and solving toy puzzles meant for toddlers.
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