Creature Feature - November 2004
	Snail Kite- have you seen me? Our August newsletter contained a story about an unusual patient -- a snail kite which is an endangered species not normally found in our area. When we admitted the bird in July, it was uninjured, but was severely underweight. Since they eat ONLY apple snails, we enlisted the help of Nahacky's Aquarium which was willing to order the snails for us at wholesale prices. On October 1st, we had the privilege of releasing the snail kite back to the wild. It had been a long battle to get his weight up, not helped by Hurricanes Charley and Frances canceling shipments of snails. While in our care this bird managed to eat over $1,100.00 worth of snails! After two weeks of flight reconditioning at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, he was ready for release. One week would probably have been enough, but Hurricane Jeanne caused another delay! The release was at Joe Overstreet boat ramp on Lake Kissimmee. The bird was banded with sight band number 6X and outfitted with a radio transmitter by a student from the University of Florida who is conducting research on this endangered species. The stitching on the transmitter harness is designed to biodegrade and fall off in two years. Periodically researchers fly over the state to track the locations of birds with transmitters. We hope to get reports that our former patient is doing well. An added bonus was the chance to see crested caracara's and four whooping cranes in the wild near Lake Kissimmee after the release. Finally, Release day! Photo by Dianna Flynt of Audubon Center for Birds of Prey Florida Wildlife Hospital is a non-profit organization which cares for wildlife patients with donations from the public. We receive no state or federal funding. If you would like to contribute for medications, food and care for this and the other 3000 wildlife patients we receive yearly please use the donations link below or mail to : Florida Wildlife Hospital, 4560 N US Hwy 1, Melbourne, FL 32935. You may email for more information. Thank you for supporting Florida Wildlife Hospital and Florida's Treasure...our wildlife. Other Creature Features January 2005 November 2004 June 2004 April 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003