For the past four years, our wildlife hospital has always admitted the first patient of the year by January 3. We were surprised this year when the first week of January 2022 came and went without the first patient being admitted. After 10 days of waiting, we finally admitted the first patient of 2022 on January 10. The late timing wasn’t the only surprise either. We were also surprised that the first patient was a Merlin!
A Merlin is a type of small falcon that can be found in most of the United States and Mexico during the winter. Over the past four years, we’ve only admitted five Merlins and generally admit them during migration season in the fall. We were quite surprised to have this little falcon be the first animal of 2022! Unfortunately, this Merlin (seen here sedated and getting an x-ray) suffered a severe fracture to its wing, which was deemed unfixable. Merlins rely on agile, quick flight to hunt songbirds. Since this Merlin would not be able to get that all-important flight back, the decision was made to humanely euthanize it.
The second animal admitted to our wildlife hospital on January 13 was also a surprise: a young bobcat! We suspect this young bobcat was born very late in the 2021 breeding season and was still relying on its mother. Bobcats generally rely on their mother for assistance with hunting and survival until eight months of age. This little kitten is likely around six months old and was found very emaciated and dehydrated. She is currently being treated with antibiotics, fluids, and high-calorie carnivore feed. We’re hopeful that she’ll bounce back and be moved outside where she will remain until she reaches 8-9 months of age, after which she will be released!
