Adam Eyers is one of our Hobie dealers by night, but by day
he is in charge of all the hooved animals at Fossil Rim. JJ is in charge of the endangered Prairie Chickens. We got to spend last weekend with Adam and JJ, and we had a great time doing a couple of kayak demos, going out for good food in Glen Rose (you know how we love that), and just hanging out for good conversation. But on Monday, Adam had to go back to work, and he invited us to shadow him at the preserve for the day. We were going to head back to the lake house, but decided to take him up on the offer. AWESOME DECISION."Our" first assignment was to bring in a Oryk who had given birth the day before. Her baby fell into a crevasse, and was rescued, but she needed to be re-introduced to the mother. She also was in need of colostrum (found in the mother's first milk) to be healthy. Adam and his team went to the area where the mother was last seen, while we rode with Kelly to watch for the herd to come over the hill, in case the mother were to run after she was darted.
I felt like I was one of Marlin Perkin's side kicks as we watched for movement on the ridge line. Then we got the call, the Oryk was down. We went to their location and watched as the team quickly worked together to check her condition, record information, cover her antlers and load her into the back of our truck. Once in the clinic, they updated her shots, did blood work and took some of her milk for the little one. Steve got in on the action, holding her back legs in case she were to have a reaction while Adam relieved her of milk.
Our next assignment was to dart and bring in a young male zebra who needed to be castrated in preparation for transportation to the Dallas Zoo. There can only be one male zebra in each herd, so the operation was necessary for the new zebra to fit into his new environment. Despite moral opposition from Steve, the operation was a success.
It was our first time in an operating room, of any kind. We were really impressed with the team, and the way they all worked together for the common good of the animal. Holly is the veterinarian in charge and was overseeing the procedures, self-proclaimed back seat operator (haha) and cleanser of the sheath. Rebecca, Asst Vet and Jim, preceptor, actually performed the operation. McKenzie was in charge of the anesthesia, vital signs and general comfort and well being of the zebra. We had no function what so ever. But I did get to pet the zebra, giving him encouraging words and healing energy. I'm sure it was most helpful. Thanks to McKenzie, he slept through the whole thing.
I was surprised by his shaved skin, which is also striped, and his pink teeth. The rest of the day was a wonderful tour of the property. Even though the road was a little bumpy (huh Adam). Here are some pictures and if you just can't get enough, you can go to our web album and see more photos Fossil Rim Web Album
Close encounter with an ostrich. Its head is inside the car!Feeding the Rhino's. It's a lot like feeding the black angus back home, but the horns (among other things) are bigger.
Ostrich goosing a rhino, now you just don't see that every day.
Another close encounter. We had a wonderful time with the rhino's. Holly & McKenzie told me that I would enjoy rubbing a rhino's inner thigh. I didn't believe them until I experienced it for myself. You'd just have to be there.
Adam and JJ, I don't know if you will read this, but if you do, please know that we will never forget our weekend, and our trip to Fossil Rim. Thank you so much.
