Yesterday, I discovered a female Kestrel in need.
She was stunned from impact with a wall of plexiglass on a sheltered bus stop in downtown Kansas City. When I first checked on her, she was only lightly breathing, and it looked like she was in for the worst, but when I returned, the Kestrel had the strength to pick herself up.
What started out as an intent to sculpt a memorial likeness became an animal rescue mission!
My next step was to get the Kestrel to shelter and contact an injured wildlife service. It was after hours for everybody, but OWL: Operation Wildlife’s voicemail instructed me on how to get the Kestrel through the night: keep it warm, in a quite spot, and do not feed. This morning she was showing progress by actively rustling in her container, but the news came that I could not take the animal across state line to OWL’s Kansas facility. The Likeside Nature Center was able to rush to her attention, and was willing to notify me of the progress. This afternoon, the director contacted me that if the Kestrel survives they would likely release her were I found her, and that I could be a part of that experience. Birds are such fragile creatures. The reality is 50/50, but my entire family awaits the news.
Upon leaving the nature center I almost hit a pit bull puppy that ran out into road, and watched her continue to tear out in front of traffic. With my newly appointed ‘animal rescuer’ status I pulled over, called her to hop into my truck bed, and went looking for the owner. I was able to successfully drop her off in her front yard with someone available to watch her. I promised Kurt I would not bring home dogs.
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Tags: animal log, animals in the city, Calder Kamin, falcon, kansas city urban wildlife, kestrel, Likeside nature center, operation wildlife, OWL, rescue animals
