This past Saturday, International Bird Rescue’s veterinarian, Dr. Rebecca Duerr, and L.A. Wildlife Center Manager Julie Skoglund hosted 17 veterinary students interested in wildlife pathology from Western University for an all-day event. Dr. Duerr gave the students lectures on anatomy and necropsy techniques that focused on points of difference between wild bird species and domestic species such as chickens or parrots.
The students then performed necropsies (animal autopsies) on Western Grebes, Common Murres and Brown Pelicans, collecting data and samples for ongoing research projects regarding assessment of body condition in oiled birds and the role of taurine in fish-eating birds. IBR would like to thank the students for a mutually beneficial day of learning!