Latest news with #Kere
Newsweek
19 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Doctor Discusses Fishy Surgery That Saved Bald Eagle's Life
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Thanks to an innovative surgery using fish skin grafts, Kere, a rescued bald eagle, returned to flight over Wisconsin on June 22 after surviving a life-threatening leg injury. Why It Matters Bald eagles, the national symbol of the United States, have faced near extinction in the past, with each rescue effort highlighting conservation progress and ongoing challenges. In Kere's case, the pioneering use of fish skin grafts to heal traumatic wounds in wildlife opens a potential new chapter in animal medical care. The bald eagle's release came days ahead of July Fourth celebrations, restoring an emblem of American freedom to the wild. What To Know Kere's 10-month recovery was led by Dr. Kim Ammann, a raptor specialist and founder at the Winged Freedom Raptor Hospital, a press release provided to Newsweek said. The treatment represented the first time a bald eagle received this type of skin graft that was provided by Icelandic firm Kerecis. Kere was discovered in Hayward, Wisconsin, in September 2024 with a 360-degree wound running from her knee to her ankle. The injury left no healthy skin for traditional treatments and infection threatened her survival. Ammann then stepped in to provide care. "With no traditional options left, she turned to innovative alternatives and discovered an Icelandic company called Kerecis that uses intact fish skin from sustainably sourced North Atlantic Cod to support tissue regeneration," the press release said. Kerecis, known for developing fish skin grafts for humans, had only recently begun offering veterinary products. Over 10 months, the cod skin grafts supported tissue regeneration and helped combat infection, which improved Kere's prospects. "The trust she put in me made it possible to accomplish what we did. She tolerated bandage changes every few days for months," Ammann said. Ammann, who treated over 200 birds in the past year, including 75 bald eagles, noted that Kere's case demonstrates the importance of innovative veterinary efforts. The successful use of fish skin grafts may open doors for wildlife rescue centers and veterinarians nationwide. Stock photo. A bald eagle flies over the Massapequa Preserve on March 25 in Massapequa, New York. Stock photo. A bald eagle flies over the Massapequa Preserve on March 25 in Massapequa, New York. Photo byWhat People Are Saying Dr. Kim Ammann, founder of Winged Freedom Raptor Hospital, said about Kere: "She left the wraps and dressings alone as they were healing her wound. She was eating well and taking necessary medications the whole time." Marta Hines, veterinary business development manager at Kerecis, said in the press release: "Our fish skin grafts are used in a variety of different wounds, whether those are traumatic wounds or some that have been out there for a while, and they have not closed in a while, like chronic wounds." What Happens Next The Winged Freedom Raptor Hospital continues to seek support for its conservation and rehabilitation activities. Kerecis, meanwhile, has indicated continued research and development of its veterinary products.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
‘Majestic' eagle had ‘slim' chance of survival after injury. Now she's healed
A bald eagle found with 'her leg torn open from knee to ankle' had a 'slim' chance of survival — until a Wisconsin animal hospital tried a unique technique. Now, Kere has been released and is getting a second chance at life in the wild less than a year after she was taken to Winged Freedom Raptor Hospital for treatment, the hospital said in a June 27 news release. She was found in a park in Hayward in September with a 'devastating 360-degree wound' and no healthy skin to help repair it, the hospital said. So, the hospital's founder, Kim Ammann, looked to the 'majestic' bald eagle's prey — fish — for help. 'With no traditional options left, she turned to innovative alternatives and discovered an Icelandic company called Kerecis that uses intact fish skin from sustainably sourced North Atlantic Cod to support tissue regeneration,' officials said. The practice was originally created for human medical use and had never been attempted on a bald eagle, officials said. However, the experiment with Kere was a success. 'The cod skin grafts did what no other treatment could. Over the course of 10 months, they helped regenerate Kere's tissue and fight off infection, offering a remarkable new lifeline to a bird who represents resilience and liberty,' the hospital said. In addition to the innovative treatment, Kere cooperated with her caregivers, which allowed her to heal quickly. 'The trust she put in me made it possible to accomplish what we did,' Ammann said in a statement. 'She tolerated bandage changes every few days for months. Those were done with her awake and watching me. She left the wraps and dressings alone as they were healing her wound. She was eating well and taking necessary medications the whole time.' Video from her June 22 release shows Kere soar from a cage as her rehabilitators watch her confidently go back into the wild. Hayward is about a 350-mile drive northwest from Milwaukee.
