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Heron at Medicine River Wildlife Centre gets fresh start for new year

Jan 12, 2019 | 8:45 PM

An avian being living in central Alberta has been given a new lease on life from the folks at the Medicine River Wildlife Centre.

It all started back in November when the MRWC received a report of a Great Blue Heron hanging around Blackfalds, but unable to fly, according to Executive Director Carol Kelly.

Typically by that time of year, herons are gone from Alberta for fairer temperatures as water bodies – where they feed on frogs, insects and fish – are frozen.

Kelly says eventually staff members were dispatched to assess the situation, and following a chase through a field, the bird was captured.

“On arrival at the hospital, the bird was examined, and it was determined it was in very good body condition, but did have a fracture in the forearm,” Kelly explains. “The fracture was in the ulna bone and fortunately the radius bone alongside of it acts as a natural splint eliminating the need for surgery or other splints.”

The difficult part then was convincing the bird to eat.

“We have access to cases of frozen smelts, which is the perfect food for it, but how do we convince him to eat something that isn’t living? It was found some years ago that if the water moves, so do the fish, and the bird thinks he is hunting live prey,” Kelly points out. “Our Great Blue does not like people at all, but grew quickly to know when the fish will arrive.”

Thankfully now, the heron rushes in to eat as soon as staff fill the pond and leave the room.

The bird will remain at the wildlife centre until March or April, depending on the weather, and will be released into the MRWC’s wetland as soon as possible.