20180531-Turkey Vulture - 1

This turkey vulture came to us because it had been observed on the ground for a couple of days in Waterloo, IN.  Our initial evaluation showed he had feather lice and crepitus in the left elbow.  He was given Ivermectin for the lice and Meloxicam for the crepitus.  He remained in our treatment and recovery unit for a few weeks for observation and physical therapy of the left wing.  He was then moved to our regular facility and placed in a large flight pen so that he could exercise those large wings.  His final step was to be flown on a creance line.  He initially didn’t do so well but ultimately ended up taking the full line over a period of several weeks.  Since he was flying well we knew it was time to take him back to Waterloo and release him where he was found and that was done on September 3rd.