Injury, Dehydration, And Emaciation Strike Down Northern Gannet

The following story about a northern gannet was submitted by the Marine Science Center in Florida.

This adult northern gannet came to us from Daytona Beach Shores, Florida. It was found on the beach with an injury to the foot/webbing. It was also emaciated and dehydrated. Weight on intake was 1.2 kilograms (about 2.6 pounds) and bloodwork revealed the total protein was low.

We started the bird on tube-feedings of 60 mL fluids alternating with 60 mL EmerAid IC Piscivore twice daily. This was continued until the total protein was at a normal level.

We began hand-feeding mackerel and sardines until the bird was eating on its own. The bird was released at 2.6 kilograms (about 5.7 pounds).