Wildlife Center releases rehabilitated turkey vulture in Nelson County

The Wildlife Center of Virginia on Friday released a turkey vulture that has healed from a gunshot wound.

Randy Huwa, Wildlife Center executive vice president, and Lee Schaeffer, a wildlife rehabilitator from British Columbia completing a two-month externship at the center, participated in the release at Cherry Hill Farm on Variety Mills Road near Arrington, in Nelson County.

The turkey vulture was spotted Jan. 14 in a backyard in Staunton, and was having difficulty flying. Shane Ayers, of Staunton Animal Control, brought it to the Waynesboro-based Wildlife Center.

After a diagnostic examination, the bird was found to have feathers missing from its left wing, but was otherwise in good body condition.

Radiographs determined that it had a bony callus on fractured left digits and showed lead pellets, indicating that the vulture had been shot, according to the Wildlife Center.

After being treated with anti-inflammatories, fluids and antibiotics, it was soon moved to an outdoor pen, and on Jan. 29, was moved to one of the center’s large flight pens, where it demonstrated its ability to fly.

Through the process of molting, the missing feathers on the bird’s wing will be replaced naturally.

Two turkey vultures have been admitted to the center in 2009, both having been shot. In 2008, the center treated 2,469 animals, including 11 turkey vultures and 11 black vultures.

Four of those vultures were gunshot victims. Vultures, and most other birds, according to the center, were given federal protection by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.