Festival Preparations Nearly Overshadowed by Loon Rescue

By Sarah Baker, 2010-2011 Monadnock Field Biologist

The dust had settled and the sun had set. We had just finished setting up for the 34th Annual Loon Festival and were sitting down to a well-earned dinner.
  

....All of a sudden the phone rang....

An immature loon that had been spotted days earlier on Winnipesaukee, entangled in fishing line, had finally been captured. Senior biologist, John Cooley, picked up the young loon and transferred it to me and 2 of my fellow field biologists, Liz Jackson of Winnipesaukee and Krista Newell of the North Country. An x-ray taken at Winnipesaukee Veterinary Emergency Center showed a fishing hook embedded in the esophagus. In an effort to get the loon immediate attention, it was transported to Capital Area Veterinary Emergency Services (C.A.V.E.S.) in Concord, NH.

Upon arrival at C.A.V.E.S., the loon was admitted and the x-ray was examined. In addition to the large amount of fishing gear consumed, the line had wrapped around it's body causing lacerations.  Veterinarian Matt DelGrosso prescribed a course of antibiotics and after conferring with the Center Manager, Wendy Munroe, was able to donate an endoscopic procedure attempting to extract the hook. Unfortunately, for our young friend, it was impossible to remove the hook without causing further damage to its esophagus. The C.A.V.E.S staff tended the bird through the night and then transferred it to Fisherville Animal Hospital in Concord with hopes that the hook could be removed through minor surgery. Again, unfortunately for this loon, surgery was not an option. 
 

The immature loon was then transferred to Maria Colby at Wings of the Dawn Sanctuary in Henniker, NH in a last effort, hoping it could somehow dislodge and pass the hook. However, weakened by the struggle of entanglement and stress of the situation, the loon succumbed to an early passing.

The Loon Preservation Committee would like to thank all those who assisted in the rescue of this immature Common Loon. Although this individual did not make it, we hope the relationships and knowledge gained in the process will help save the next one!