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As someone who had the privilege of a childhood in the
countryside at the foot of the Campsie Fells, 12 miles North
of Glasgow I developed a keen interest in Scottish wildlife.
This in fact played a large part in my chosen career as
a veterinary surgeon.
Recently I had the opportunity of spending a week-end on
the islands of Mull and Staffa and was thrilled by the opportunites
available for observing magnificent scenery and wildlife
at close quarters. Who needs the Galapagos Islands? Basking
sharks, porpoises, fish eagles, puffins and the highlight
of the trip........sea otters were all on display.
With the euphoria of witnessing such beautiful creatures
it is sometimes easy to forget that they are wild animals
and their needs are very different from our own domesticated
pets.
Recently, at Fairfield, a concerned member of the public
brought us a beautiful buzzard with a severe wing injury.
The wing was broken in many places and had pierced the skin.
Additionally, the soft tissues had been contaminated with
maggots (fly strike). In this situation where there is never
any prospect of returning the patient back into the wild
fully functional and in a position to compete for it's own
survival there is only one option and that is euthanasia.
Providing an opportunity to end the creature's suffering
should only be seen as a positive result.
There is a stark contrast between what we can provide for
domesticated pets who are in their owner's care and can
function perfectly reasonably with disabilities and wild
species who must be equipped for the harsh realities of
life in the wild. Otherwise they will suffer unduly through
stress by the restriction of not being able to function
in the manner that their instincts and nature are designed.
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