The Wildlife Center is sad to announce the death of Chayton, an education Peregrine Falcon, on January 24, 2013.
Chayton was first admitted to the Wildlife Center in February 2010. He was found in Chesapeake with a broken wing. Wildlife Center veterinarians diagnosed fractures of the falcon’s major and minor metacarpals in the right wing – essentially, the equivalent of the “hand” bones in humans. Due to the severity of the injury, Chayton was unable to fly well enough to be released.
Throughout his time here, Chayton had recurring pododermatitis, or “bumblefoot”. Bumblefoot is an inflammatory condition of the feet that is seen more often in captive birds, because these animals are more sedentary than their wild counterparts. Birds like Chayton that are made for life on the wing can be at an increased risk for bumblefoot when they have injuries that make them unable to fly. The veterinary team took Chayton to surgery in 2010, twice in 2011, and again in 2012 to correct these foot issues. Chayton had been housed inside for the past five months while his feet were treated. While Chayton made some improvements after his September 2012 surgery, he had another “flare up” of foot issues in late December 2012.
While Chayton’s issues were stable for a time, on January 24, the veterinary team found Chayton’s left foot to be significantly worse. With a large bumblefoot lesion, and a very swollen foot, the team decided that the most humane decision was to euthanize Chayton. As a team, the veterinary and outreach staff decided that it would not be in Chayton’s best interest to go through another extensive surgical procedure, given the state of Chayton’s left foot, and the prognosis for yet another surgery.
During his career at the Wildlife Center, Chayton appeared in 113 programs and met more than 2,400 people. Chayton received his name in the spring of 2012 after the Wildlife Center held a naming contest for the falcon. "Chayton" was suggested by a student in Mrs. Preston’s 4th grade class at Camp Allen Elementary School in Norfolk, VA. Mrs. Preston wrote, “We researched Native American names and found the Sioux word for ‘falcon’ which is Chayton.”
Because Chayton was housed inside for a good portion of his time at the Center, the entire Wildlife Center staff had an opportunity to really get to know Chayton, perhaps more than other education animal at the Center. Chayton was an officemate to many, and a staff favorite. Despite multiple surgeries, countless bandage changes, crazy perch contraptions, and constant monitoring, Chayton endured his hardships without holding a grudge. He seemed comfortable with his indoor set-up, and remarkably patient with the humans around him. Quite simply, he was a good-natured and laidback member of the family. It’s hard to say just why Chayton was so special; he just was.
Rest in peace, dear friend. Your friends and family will greatly miss you.