Three rescued baby Thrushes....wot next?

[Jenny W]

This is going to be very controversial but....

.... I believe that only in certain, very specific circumstances, is wildlife rehabilitation relevant to species conservation, for example, with critically endangered species (globally I mean). Wildlife rehabiliataion seems to me more like an animal welfare issue.

If all the money, time and effort put into rehabiliataing one individual animal was put into species/habitat conservation it would go a lot further.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that wildlife rehab isn't worth it, it's just that I personally believe that wildlife rehab and conservation/species protection/habitat protection are two different things.

[Naturenutz]

be carefull you dont over feed them while you have them,little and often is best. they maybe young blackbirds as they have thrush like markings.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Jenny W

This is going to be very controversial but....

.... I believe that only in certain, very specific circumstances, is wildlife rehabilitation relevant to species conservation, for example, with critically endangered species (globally I mean). Wildlife rehabiliataion seems to me more like an animal welfare issue.

If all the money, time and effort put into rehabiliataing one individual animal was put into species/habitat conservation it would go a lot further.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that wildlife rehab isn't worth it, it's just that I personally believe that wildlife rehab and conservation/species protection/habitat protection are two different things.

Thats pretty much what i was saying too jenny, with the exception of as you say critically endangered species where the real issue is with keeping a viable gene pool the bodies that work in conservation and species protection can't afford to spend their resources on rehab for individuals.

and in fact even with the endangered species it is better to focus on attacking the causes of the injury rather than on rehab - for instance the rspb campaign to protect the albatross is focussed on protecting their nests and erradicating the predatory giant mice from tristan de cuna, and on awareness raising about long line fishing - its not about the nearly hopeless task of finding hooked albatri before they drown and nursing them back to health.

Likewise with the work the durrel trust does with critically endangered species - although they do some work on saving individuals where possible , the real focus is on anti poaching measures and also on captive breeding and reintroduction to sustain the gene pool.

(i'd also note that we are heading rapidly off topic - a passing mod may wish to split this debate from the OPs original question)

[Jenny W]

Originally Posted by eeyore

Thats pretty much what i was saying too jenny, with the exception of as you say critically endangered species where the real issue is with keeping a viable gene pool the bodies that work in conservation and species protection can't afford to spend their resources on rehab for individuals.

and in fact even with the endangered species it is better to focus on attacking the causes of the injury rather than on rehab - for instance the rspb campaign to protect the albatross is focussed on protecting their nests and erradicating the predatory giant mice from tristan de cuna, and on awareness raising about long line fishing - its not about the nearly hopeless task of finding hooked albatri before they drown and nursing them back to health.

Likewise with the work the durrel trust does with critically endangered species - although they do some work on saving individuals where possible , the real focus is on anti poaching measures and also on captive breeding and reintroduction to sustain the gene pool.

(i'd also note that we are heading rapidly off topic - a passing mod may wish to split this debate from the OPs original question)

Yeah, you are right there, I didn't really express myself very well did I.

Sorry, shutting up now because going off topic!

[Pam_M]

Originally Posted by dizzyrascal

I have just rescued three baby (what I think are) thrushes from my cat and currently have them in a shoe box with a tea towel for comfort.......what do I do next? I can't see a nest close by and don't want to leave them at the fate of the big bad world

How are the Thrushes today?

[Jason Green]

Yes, how are the youngsters this morning? Can you post a photo please? Oh, and well done for taking them in!

[owlmomma]

If you still have them and need to chat about what to do, pm me and I will give you my number.

In the meantime, soak cat biscuits in boiling water, leave o cool and then break off pieces and feed with tweezers,

Under no circumstances give them water, they will get what they need from the soaked biscuits.

If they have been got by a cat they will need antibiotics