Blood Chemistry Samples to Help Rehab Patients

Teton Raptor Center’s research team has been out in the field recently, collecting blood samples from wild raptors and corvids as part of a blood-chemistry project in collaboration with TRC’s rehabilitation clinic and Teton Conservation District. Having information on the natural blood chemistry levels in wild raptors can help rehabilitators better understand patient condition and track their recovery progress.  Blood samples are analyzed with an Abaxis machine to understand the chemical and nutrient levels from each bird.  A Common Raven recently captured near Hoback, WY was the first wild raven to be added to our blood chemistry database. Combining efforts from both research and rehabilitation teams is one of many ways Teton Raptor Center is creating innovative solutions to complex raptor conservation issues. TRC staff hope to present some of the findings from the blood chemistry project at the upcoming Wyoming chapter of The Wildlife Society conference in April.