When the trunk opened, they looked strange at the De Bonte Piet wildlife shelter in Midwoud. On top of some pots of conifers, sat a weakened buzzard. Emaciated and with a serious inflammation in one eye. “Every once in a while we receive a patient delivered in a special way,” says Marije de Wit of the wildlife shelter.
They often get buzzards at Pied Piet, but not in the trunk of a Tesla. It wasn’t until the trunk lid opened that it started to flutter a little. “Fortunately, everything went well along the way. A lady came to bring him. She saw him sitting at the driveway at Middenmeer, clearly weakened.”
The animal weighs less than 500 grams. “He has been given antibiotics and is now recovering. He also has worm deposits on his tongue, so internal parasites.”
‘A bunny in a bra on a bicycle’
Every now and then it is a surprise how animals are brought to the shelter. “A cormorant in the back seat, a white-fronted goose on the passenger seat. A bunny in a cyclist’s bra,” says Marije, laughing. “It had no panniers and after all, that is the warmest place to sit.”
They regularly receive buzzards at the Broerdijk in Midwoud. “Usually in a box or via the animal ambulance.” Marije suspects that it is a relatively young bird. Not older than three years. “They can get very old, we once had one with a broken bone. We ringed it. It must be almost twenty years old now.”
Tips for transportation?
If you encounter a weakened animal along the way, Marije has the necessary tips. “For birds of prey, beware of the claws! Although you might think the beak looks intimidating, the claws are the most dangerous.”
As the shelter manager, she is prepared at all times. “I always have a box or towel with me that you can wrap an animal with.” If you don’t have the courage to pick up a bird of prey along the highway, there are of course other options. “Call us for advice or of course call the animal ambulance. Definitely don’t medicate yourself.”
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