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Ryder, an adult Fox Squirrel, joined us
September 2004 after having been shot in the face by a high school boy
with an air rifle. The pellet entered his right eye, shattered bones in
the sinus cavity and lodged below his left eye. Fortunately, he was
rescued by the boy’s wonderful and kind next door neighbor who brought
him to Flint Creek Wildlife. Ryder’s prognosis was grim, but we didn’t
give up on him. It seemed a miracle that he made it through the first
night, then the second night. Each day I wondered if Ryder would be
with us the next day and each day he continued to pleasantly
surprise me.
Ryder has done marvelously well
considering the gravity of his injuries. He has regained all of
the weight that he lost during his critical care and his activity level
is good. His condition is currently stable.
Ryder will be further evaluated in the
Spring when we can transfer him to a large outdoor enclosure.
Sadly, Ryder may never be
releasable due the extent of his injuries but I hope that Ryder will
help me educate children and adults about the hazards of BB and pellet
guns. |
