Office of the Dean
Message from the Dean:
Taken from Dean Whiteley's monthy column in Illinois Vet News
He weighs not quite 1.5 kg—around three pounds—but he has certainly captured the hearts and minds of many residents of our community. Since early January a snowy owl dubbed “Qigiq,” meaning “white hawk that flies in the sky,” has been at our Wildlife Medical Clinic receiving care for a broken wing.
Qigiq has had two surgeries, five sets of radiographs, blood and wound culture tests, an ophthalmology consult, and numerous rounds of rehabilitation therapy, while consuming hundreds of mice. You can read his medical charts online here: go.illinois.edu/featured_wmc_case
All this may add up to one small contribution to the snowy owl population, yet it has one incalculable impact on the education of the student volunteers. In fact, the Wildlife Medical Clinic engages more than 130 student volunteers and is frequently cited among prospective students as one of the draws of the Illinois program.
You have an opportunity to support this worthwhile program next Saturday, March 3, at its annual Doodle for Wildlife dinner and auction, or any time by making a donation online. I encourage you to find out more at vetmed.illinois.edu/wmc.