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Honey, Birds - UPDATE April 26, 2016
26 April 2016
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This morning, I visited Honey with Bear Curator Sharon Herrell, Senior Director Scott Edgett, Office Manager Heidi Schiltz, and bear owner Cindy. Honey yawning
Honey yawning
The staff and Cindy have spent a lot of time with Honey, doing everything possible to make her comfortable?food, water, straw, and a big tarp for shade and to keep the rain off her. The location is where Honey stopped walking just outside her pen a week ago.
Honey was in good spirits. Everyone fed her. Some stroked her. She looked almost blissful. She obviously enjoyed the company. She struggled up to a sitting position to better receive the attention. She never winced or showed any indication of pain in getting into the sitting position. She responded to everyone nicely?nothing like Honey with tarp overhead
Honey with tarp overhead
I?ve seen with wounded wild bears that obviously were in pain and trying to move away as if they felt vulnerable and didn?t want any company in the woods. I brought them food and water and left so as not to bother them. But good Honey looked from person to person in an accepting way, enjoying the treats being offered. She acted like she had just awakened and even yawned a few times.
Her only problem is that her left rear leg is numb and doesn?t work.
To gather opinions, the staff has sought advice from about a dozen vets. A zoo veterinarian in the UK was immediately familiar with the problem. She had seen it many times, unfortunately never with a good outcome. She said old bears get arthritis that eventually affects a nerve, and there is no way they can recover. Honey has long walked carefully, as I?m sure Lily Fans have noticed. Suddenly, a week ago, she couldn?t walk anymore and sat down where she is today. The veterinarian said if there is no recovery in the first couple days, it?s a permanent condition in her experience.
Honey with Scott Edgett
and with Cindy
Sweet Honey
We?re at a loss as to how to help Honey. We wish we had more answers, but a number of the veterinarians said there is no good reason to put Honey through being tranquilized for blood work or x-rays. They said the tranquilizer itself could kill her, and the blood work and x-rays would not likely reveal anything that would be treatable. With Honey acting her usual self and enjoying human company and treats, it is understandable that we all want to do everything possible for her, no matter how slim the chances are that it will do any good. Ted rolling on back
Ted rolling on back
It is also important to us to do everything possible for this beloved bear. Tomorrow, our vet is coming to tranquilize Honey, take blood samples, and possibly bring a portable x-ray machine. The vet will then send the blood samples off for analysis.
Meanwhile we?ll keep you apprised of her condition.
On a happier note, it was a beautiful day, so I took the camera when I put food out for the birds and squirrels. A chickadee looked expectantly at me from overhead. A female purple finch gave me a nice look as she ate the seeds. The non-tame gull flew in for some bologna and hot dogs and doesn?t fly away when I open the door now. And to top it off, as I was writing that, Eli showed up.
Chickadee
Female purple finch
Herring gull
I was glad to see Honey being comfortable and happy today. I just wish she could walk.
Thank you for all the suggestions you have made. Honey is part of all of our lives. It is hard to let her go. Maybe the veterinarians will learn something unexpected.
Thank you for all you do. I?m going out to say hi to Eli now.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
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