DRC, FWC, OTHERS RESCUE 60 STRUGGLING TURKEY VULTURES

Olly, a pug mix, is 10. He’s a specialcase dog who will need a home to live out the rest of his days. He loves toys, walks and love, but is showing signs of dementia and is mostly blind and deaf. So he will need a special home ready to take on his needs.

Dimple is a 5½-year-old female domestic shorthair. Dimple has been at our shelter for five years and is looking for a family that will let her come out of her shell at her own pace and a kitty friend for her to snuggle with.

Tiny Tina is a 4½-year-old female domestic shorthair. She’s a shy kitty, but super sweet. She gets along with other cats and is a kind kitty with lots of love to give.

On Jan. 23, Dolphin Research Center staff assisted in the rescue of about 60 waterlogged turkey vultures off the coast of Marathon. While conducting field research in a boat on the gulf side of Marathon, DRC staff came upon a turkey vulture struggling in the water. Turkey vultures do not swim, so staff took her on board and contacted the Marathon Wild Bird Center to evaluate the bird.

Dana Child, a volunteer at the center, advised that when one vulture is found in the water, there are typically many more. Every few years, mass numbers of vultures have been found stranded in water. The reason isn’t clear, but the birds sometimes suffer blunt force trauma from hitting the water or are simply cold and waterlogged without the ability to lift themselves out of the water. These events may be caused by a strong downdraft of air pushing them into the water.

DRC staff members bring a struggling turkey vulture on board for transport to the Marathon Wild Bird Center.

DRC staff were also joined by an FWC patrol boat, and there were reports of local fishermen and boaters who rescued a number of birds.

Karl, a year-old mixed breed, is the happiest boy with a ton of energy. He will do best in a home that’ll give him plenty of exercise and work on his manners.

Benito is an adult, male American rabbit. He’s full of energy, loves his hay and is looking for a home to be able to stretch his legs in.

Knowing there may be a large number of birds in need of rescue, Dolphin Research Center staff along with Child and Kirk Linaje, founder of the Marine Order for Research and Action through Environmental Stewardship (MORAES), returned to the location to search for more birds. The DRC boat spent the next four hours searching for and rescuing these birds. Eventually, 27 waterlogged turkey vultures were brought on board.

In total, about 60 birds were brought to the Marathon Wild Bird Center. Over the following two days, the bird center successfully rehabilitated and released all of the surviving vultures from the event.

As carrion eaters, vultures are a critical part of the ecosystem. They remove pathogens and toxins from the environment, helping keep the ecosystem disease free. Their digestive systems contain a very strong acid that destroys many of the harmful substances found in dead animals.