Three Mississippi kites brought to LSU Vet Med released on September 16 on the levee near LSU
September 16, 2022
Three Mississippi kites were treated at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana were released on Friday, September 16 at 12 p.m. on the levee near LSU Vet Med (the corner of River Road and Skip Bertman Drive in Baton Rouge).
One adult Mississippi kite came to LSU Vet Med on May 9, 2022, with fractures of the right radius and ulna. The fractures were repaired with an intramedullary pin in the radius and external fixator in ulna. The bird also received fluids and supportive care, as well as and pain relief medications.
Another adult Mississippi kite came to LSU Vet Med on May 25, 2022, and was treated for a soft tissue wing injury and eye injury. The bird was treated with fluids and supportive care and pain relief medications.
A third adult Mississippi Kite that had lived at LSU Vet Med as a resident raptor named Burreaux has healed enough now to be released. Burreaux came to LSU Vet Med on July 27, 2020, with a tibiotarsal fracture. He wore a cast and had delayed healing. He could not be released in 2020 because, by the time he was healthy enough to be released, he missed the migratory window. This species migrates to-and-from Louisiana and South America (Brazil and Argentina) every year. In 2021, he gained too much weight and did not want to fly, but the LSU Vet Med Raptor Co-Chairs got him ready this year.
Wildlife cases can be dropped off at the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital during regular business hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m.). We can also accept wildlife cases between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., but no later than 10 p.m. We can also accept cases on weekends prior to 10 p.m.
About LSU Vet Med’s Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana
LSU Vet Med’s Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana currently accepts more than 1,200 wild mammals, birds, and reptiles annually, with a 15% increase in caseload anticipated each year. We do not charge a fee to the Good Samaritans who bring in these sick and injured animals; the Wildlife Hospital provides this medical care from funds donated to the Wildlife Hospital. To find out how you can support our mission, please contact Tracy Evans, senior director of development, at 225-578-9870 or tracy@lsu.edu. You can give online at lsufoundation.org/givetovetmed and select Wildlife Hospital.
About LSU Vet Med: Bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 33 veterinary schools in the U.S. and the only one in Louisiana. LSU Vet Med is dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education, transformational research, and compassionate care. We teach. We heal. We discover. We protect.