CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – It\u2019s not a penguin or a puffin, but a razorbill found with shark bites along its leg. <\/p>\n
Razorbills are subarctic birds in the North Atlantic, living in Greenland, Iceland, and Canada, and commonly seen in the northeast but uncommon on North Carolina shores.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re typically found off the coast during the winter migration. <\/p>\n
The Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter, a nonprofit that assists injured wildlife, picked up the injured arctic bird after someone found it along the shore.<\/p>\n
Once brought back to the shelter, the staff discovered multiple puncture wounds and bites. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe quickly recognized that the razorbill had a shark bite, which is not uncommon for our seabirds,\u201d Outer Banks Wildlife Rehab director Courtney Kole said.<\/p>\n
Kole adds that there were no broken bones, but a splint was applied to the injured leg, which may have sustained some nerve damage.<\/p>\n
Kole says the shelter may receive one or two razorbills for rehabilitation every other year.<\/p>\n
Staff quickly made the bird feel at home by packing his enclosure with ice and a fan to create an arctic breeze, lowering the temperature, and mimicking his natural habitat. <\/p>\n
The nonprofit is also close to completing its seabird enclosure to house additional injured birds, including razorbills. <\/p>\n
The rehabilitated razorbill currently has a small pool with enough space to dive for live fish provided by the shelter. <\/p>\n
Kole adds that razorbills do not like being hand-fed, which could pose a challenge during the bird\u2019s rehabilitation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re not used to humans or being in an area like this. A lot of times, they get depressed and stop eating,\u201d Kole said. \u201cThe worse his body is, condition-wise, the slower he\u2019s going to heal.\u201d <\/p>\n
Kole says they are providing medication and antibiotics for the bird and hope to release the razorbill back into the wild once there is enough improvement.<\/p>\n
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