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Cormorants 253

Record Keeping

In the United States, it is the responsibility of every wildlife rehabilitator to keep accurate records
of each admission to a rehabilitation facility and to report that information to regulatory agencies
annually. Generally, the information requested by these agencies includes the date of admission,
species, final disposition, and date of disposition. This information provides trustees with valuable
data about human–wildlife interactions. Responsible rehabilitators also collect as much informa-
tion as possible about each animal, not only to help guide the individual animal’s care, but also to
advance knowledge about the species. This information includes capture date and location,
physical examination findings on arrival, treatments prescribed and performed, and detailed notes
on continuing care and progress.

­ Initial­Care­and Stabilization

As with any injured bird, cormorant chicks must first be warmed before any treatment or
examination. Naked or cold chicks can be placed in a warming incubator set to approximately
100 °F (37.8 °C) with humidity of 50–60% (Lyon Technologies). To help warm a cold chick
more rapidly, a heating pad set to low can be placed under the substrate in the incubator. If a
chick that is downy and not in need of an incubator requires additional heat, a box with a
heating pad on low under half of the box and a towel nest may suffice until the chick is warm
and alert.
Once the chick is warm, dehydration must be addressed. Dehydration is detrimental to any
animal, but cormorant hatchlings and nestlings are especially prone to its effects. Fluids may
be administered by any usual route for birds; oral or subcutaneous (SQ) delivery generally
works well. However, extremely young chicks’ skin may become excessively perforated with
repeated SQ boluses even when given with small gauge needles; hence, delivery of only a
small number of administrations by this route may be best. Oral or SQ isotonic electrolytes
should be delivered at normal body temperature (103–108 °F/39.3–42.2 °C) in order to avoid
cooling the chick. Give oral fluids at 3–5% of body weight (30–50 ml/kg) every 60 minutes until
the chick is well‐hydrated. Sterile SQ isotonic fluids may be given up to 5% of body weight
once or twice daily. If needed, oral and subcutaneous fluids can be given concurrently, with
the caveat that one should be sure the chick is processing what has already been given before
giving more. Passage of clear urine and white urates are good indicators that the chick is pro -
cessing its fluids well.

­ Common­Medical­Problems­and Solutions

Dehydration

As previously mentioned, cormorants are particularly susceptible to dehydration. Monitoring their
hydration is vital to the successful raising of young cormorants. When a cormorant chick is naked,
its skin should appear shiny and smooth with wrinkles only where limbs articulate. If the skin
starts becoming dry or flaky or develops wrinkles in other areas, additional hydration is needed.
Dehydration becomes less problematic as the birds mature. Monitor droppings carefully as an
indicator of hydration; dehydrated chicks may become bloated or constipated.