Double-Crested Cormorant Turns Himself In For Rescue

The following story about a double-crested cormorant was shared with us by Florida Keys Wild Bird Center.

At the beginning of November we admitted a double-crested cormorant that was found right at our sanctuary. The intern working that day noticed a cormorant walking around our boardwalk that appeared to be pretty lethargic. The intern was able to walk right up to the bird and grab him, so she drove him to our hospital location where we were able to take a better look.

Upon intake we noticed that the patient was emaciated, dehydrated, and was heavily burdened with internal parasites.

We began treatment by administering supplemental fluids, getting his temperature within the normal range, and then starting him on EmerAid IC Piscivore. After a day on EmerAid, he was more stable, and we were able to treat his parasites. The next day he graduated to a fish smoothie, then began eating whole fish.

Once he was eating on his own, he was moved to an outdoor enclosure with other cormorants to work on his flight capabilities. He was cleared for release shortly after.