new wild caught eastern...

[kerensa]

I'm not sure even where to start on listing the attrocities involved in this situation. Not the least of which is someone playing garter collector all summer, feeding an inadequte diet, and tossing them back out as soon as cold weather hits...

and yes the past week or so has had very cold nights and some nasty cold days as well.

K.

[norcalj]

Not to get all corny or anything, but I think it was your destiny to find her. I'm pretty sure that you saved her from certain death.... be it from getting ran over, exposure to the elements or becoming another animal's lunch. I'm now going to have to refer to you as "Mr.Allstate" cause she's in good hands!

[kerensa]

well Bellefleu (new name for the new girl) had her morning nightcrawler. I am chopping them now, intending to try her on a mix of chopped nightcrawlers and pinkies, then try her on sented pinkies etc. I am worried about the lack of calcium in her diet so far, but she won't eat the live guppies (not great calcium but better than nothing) although she will soak with them. She did not touch the chopped trout that I give the others. (again some calcium there) she is still looking for her food by hand, which is rather nice in a way. I may have to try calcium powder with her, even though I prefer natural balanced diet.

As far as behavior goes she is calming down even more. Its sort of like having a legless dog. Can't walk by her enclosure without her looking for some time out.

the looseness of her skin has almost gone away, I think it was dehydration since there is a lot of water missing and no way to account for it, and she is heavier.

[kerensa]

Not to get all corny or anything, but I think it was your destiny to find her.

I think it has more to do with an Idiot doing stupid crap than destiny. Destiny would imply all the others were destined to be kept in poor, dark, cramped conditions, fed inadequately on a substandard diet, and released unprepared for winter just in time for the cold weather. That doesn't sound to me like something I would want to think of as their destiny. That is arguably the results of idiocy however.

edit to add: destiny would also imply that the others he has caught and released this way were not meant to be found and given a safe home after his interferance.

[kerensa]

Break it to her gently.

I am seriously considering calling wildlife officials next summer if it continues. Is that breaking it to her gently enough? There are so many laws being broken there that it boggles the mind.

edit to add: besides its simply a horrible practice-

[Lisa4john]

Sad situation. Glad at least the one is safe and cared for now.

[kerensa]

Yes it appears to be a very sad situation.

well at this point I'm simply glad she looks to be in great condition other than the wound, and seeming small (underweight) for her age. Yeah I'm worried about the restricted diet for two years, and am concerned that she seemed dehydrated when she got her initial vet visit. But considering everything that could be wrong, the fact so much is right seems a blessing.

Does not excuse the poor conditions, the poor diet and removal of more than could be adequately cared for from the wild. Either what I was shown and told is inaccurate, or its simply luck that she is otherwise healthy at this point. I will go see them again with research in hand, maybe a couple of good books... and check back again next summer. For all I know from what was said those tiny little totes could be for transport, or feeding. (yes I am trying not to be furious) I was after all given very general conversation, mostly about the girl I found, and bragging by mom to go on. It sounds (and looked) appalling- but may not be. I'm certainly not going to go back over until I can do so with out sounding accusatory and hostile.

edit to add: its good to have a place to vent about this.

[guidofatherof5]

Sounds good. What was he feeding them?

[kerensa]

Sounds good. What was he feeding them?

worms he caught and frozen tilapia once a week. I did ask about other food, and he said that was all he fed.

[snake man]

Have you tried educating them on how to do it properly?