Injured, Grounded Loon Rescue in Canton, NY
A juvenile loon found grounded and injured in Canton, NY. Photo by Kim Gilbert
Sometimes it takes an army!
On Tuesday, December 3, ACLC staff received a call from Kim Gilbert in Canton, NY, who had discovered a grounded juvenile loon outside her place of business at St. Lawrence County IDA. The loon was stuck sitting on the wet pavement, and appeared to be injured. Kim was able to get the loon into a padded cardboard box so that it was safe, contained, and ready for transport. Upon closer inspection, it looked like the loon had broken the tip off its lower mandible when it crash-landed on the ground, and there was also an apparent fracture in the mandible.
ACLC staff then got in touch with Sandy and Bill Griffin, ACLC loon rescue volunteers, who picked up the loon and transported it all the way to Saranac Lake.
Once in Saranac Lake, the loon was examined by Dr. Bentley of Paws and Claws Mobile Veterinary Services. The loon was deemed to be in good health, but needed further evaluation for its bill injuries.
On Wednesday, December 4, Dr. Nate Theobald at Palmer Veterinary Clinic in Plattsburgh examined the loon further, including taking X-rays of the head, bill, and body. The loon’s bill injuries were not as serious as initially thought, and there were no broken bones or signs of lead. This loon was deemed ready for release!
Soon after examination, Dr. Danielle Garneau of SUNY Plattsburgh joined ACLC research biologist Griffin Archambault for a release near Ausable Marsh on Lake Champlain as the snow was coming down.
A close-up of the juvenile loon’s injured mandible. Photo by Bill Griffin
Dr. Rachel Dougherty receiving the loon at Palmer Veterinary Clinic in Plattsburgh, NY. Photo by Griffin Archambault
ACLC staff member Griffin Archambault releasing the loon at Lake Champlain. Photo by Dr. Danielle Garneau
Because there was no way of knowing where this loon came from and because it was likely migrating when it came down, Lake Champlain was chosen as the release site. The loon will have plenty of fish and open water to fuel up and recover before continuing its first migration to the ocean.
Thank you to the many caring hands who helped rescue this loon - from the initial call to getting the loon safely contained, to transporting the loon and to the multiple medical opinions offered to make sure this loon was capable of survival - we truly couldn’t do it without you!
If you are interested in becoming an ACLC rescue volunteer , email research@adkloon.org to find out how to get involved.
- by Griffin Archambault, ACLC Research Biologist