Introducing Corvid Isle Sanctuary Residents
Pan Tau came to us as a fledgling carrion crow in early June 2014 via our local veterinary surgery. He has been rescued by a kind person from the roadside after being hit by a car. He was found lying on his side and being unable to use neither wings nor legs. His rescuer cared for him for a week but became progressively concerned as Pan Tau did not make any progress. At that point in time the rescuer contacted the local veterinary surgery and asked for help. He insisted that Pan Tau should not be put to sleep and rather being given a second chance.
A Long Way To Go
So we agreed to take over Pan Tau’s care. At our admission assessment we could not find any fractures or obvious injuries. However, Pan Tau’s legs were not able to support his own weight. Both feet were curled up in a spastic fashion, which forced him to sit on his hock joints. He was unable to stand up or to use his wings in a coordinated way, which made it also difficult for him to keep himself upright. Pan Tau was otherwise fully alert and responsive. His neurological symptoms, which were caused by a concussion and a spinal trauma, had only marginally improved since he was found. This was a very concerning situation in terms of his longterm recovery prospects. Chances of a recovery are often rather slim when no noticeable neurological improvement can be observed within a fortnight.

We commenced Pan Tau’s treatment regime, and offered also daily physiotherapy sessions. We were very impressed by Pan Tau’s trust in us, his eagerness to comply with our physical interactions and his determination. 14 days later Pan Tau was able to sit on his hock joints without loosing his balance. It took another 2 weeks until the leg spasticity gradually subsided. Pan Tau eventually managed to stand up for a few seconds. At this point we moved him into a nicely padded baby play pen, which allowed him to exercise and roam within safe boundaries. He was also joined by rook fledgling Achilles, who suffered a complex leg fracture. Both birds enjoyed each other’s company very much, and over time became close friends.

Patience, Trust and Perseverance
It took Pan Tau about 8 weeks of treatment, physiotherapy and exercise, until he was able to walk, stand and even perch. He still became exhausted quite quickly, but we were sure that this would improve further given enough time. By the end of August both birds, Pan Tau and Achilles, made such good progress that we decided to move them into their own specially adapted outdoor aviary. They thoroughly enjoyed wind, sunshine and most importantly the freedom to roam including all the exciting new things to explore. This was another major step in their rehabilitation process, and we were absolutely amazed about their determination to get better and more independent.
Pan Tau became fully independent and self sufficient, but remained unreleasable as he is not able to fly longer distances. He still suffers of minor coordination issues, which he manages well. Over the years he made many friends and enjoyed the company of quite a number of birds, including jays, rooks, crows and magpies. We love Pan Tau’s determination and most importantly his friendly, gentle and curious personality, which is contagious to all beings around him.

Support Our Corvid Isle Sanctuary
Corvid Isle is a small non-for-profit organisation and corvid sanctuary (License Number MAU 016710) based in the Scottish Highlands. We are entirely self-funded and are relying on the kind support from members of the public. Please follow the links below to find out how you can support us. Thank you.