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Some time ago while one of The Institutes intrepid researchers was visiting Bosque del Apache National Wildlife refuge on a completely unrelated matter, he uncovered extraordinary behavior never seen or reported on before in the daily life of the birds here. Fortunately he had his camera with him and was able to document and take the copious notes needed to prepare and write a serious report.

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is a completely self-contained system for the care and feeding of its avian visitors. Hundreds and thousands of migrating birds use its facilities every year. What many observers do not know is that Bosque has its own medical team with Doctor birds and Nurse birds and bird Candy stripers but at the forefront of this team is the EMT or First Responder. As you can see above the EMT is responding to a 911 call of a bird in distress.  It flies in to assess the situation before landing to offer its assistance.

Here the EMT is checking on the unresponsive birds vitals, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, ability to pay for the cost of transporting it should that occasion arise, and attempting to clear its airway prior to giving CPR.

In a desperate attempt to get the unresponsive bird to respond the EMT begins CPR and is seen here striking the birds chest in an attempt to start its heart. Nervous onlookers crowd the scene watching every move.

 As the bird was not responding the EMT had little choice but to attempt a risky procedure in the field. Every second counts and there was no time to summon the trauma team to assist. The EMT jumps on the unresponsive birds chest and holds it under water as a form of local anesthesia as preparation for open heart surgery.

Before the EMT can crack the chest of his patient he has to prepare the bird for the surgery by removing its clothing.

There is a lot of clothing on the patient and the EMT has to work fast to get the patient ready as it looks grim for the unresponsive bird. Soon he has the patient prepared and begins the surgery by using its beak to open the chest cavity. Quickly moving the ribs and the vital organs surrounding the heart his worst fears are realized.

He has lost the patient. The EMT depressed and angry at his inability to save his patient is forced to leave after getting another call. He took with him several of the expired patients organs as samples for the necessary necropsy to be performed back at the hospital’s extensive lab. The emergencies are never-ending at Bosque and there are only a few EMT’s to take care of the thousands of birds at the refuge. He cannot afford the time to mourn the victim. There are others in desperate need of his services.

We know that the images above have been graphic and as always sensitive viewers should avert their eyes if this is disturbing to you. Having a box of tissues at hand may be helpful. So is closing your eyes and weeping quietly. But we here at The Institute do not shy away from presenting life as it happens. We do not avert our eyes to the blood and gore and unseemly mayhem that is an everyday occurrence in nature. This is how it is every day at one of the largest bird refuges in the country, and it must be viewed for what it is. Pure and unadulterated sensationalism for its own sake. A sleazy attempt to gain readers by showing them really awful stuff that we know they secretly like. Yet it cannot be denied that The Institute has discovered yet another fascinating facet of animal behavior never reported on before. And we feel it is our duty to share it with you the viewer.