I was quietly sipping my cappuccino yesterday in Izy Coffee on the Langemunt.  Léa, the barista, came up to me and asked for help.

“There’s a bird on the ground below a table on the terrace.  It looks injured.  Some people almost stepped on it.  Would you help me catch it?”

Of course, “Yes”.

I went out to look.  It seemed like one of the pigeon’s eyeballs was hanging out.  My heart sank.

We both went on the internet to find who to call, and the answer was nearby: Opvangcentrum Voor Vogels En Wilde Dieren, a bird and wildlife rescue centre.

We needed a box, big enough to transport the little one without hurting it further.  I found one in Izy’s storage room.  Léa emptied out the coffee cups and I cut some air holes.

We tried to contact Izy’s owner, knowing he has a car, but we couldn’t reach him.  I checked public transit.  It was a 30-40 minute ride on tram and bus and feet.

I’ll do it

I tried corralling the pigeon but he or she, even injured, was too fast for me.  Léa grabbed a towel, placed it over the bird to calm it, grabbed on, and placed it into my waiting box.  Tape the top and I was ready to go.

My connections weren’t great but within the hour I was ringing the wildlife centre’s doorbell.  I had done my best to be gentle on the trip, and to keep the box and its occupant out of the sun.  Occasionally I could hear the scratching of claws on cardboard.  It was still alive.

A lovely young man took the pigeon into another room and examined it.  He came back shaking his head.

“It isn’t injured.  It has a severe disease called pigeon pox virus … highly contagious for other birds, harmless for animals and humans.”

“Even with treatment, it’s unlikely our little friend will survive.  And she would infect many other birds.  The humane thing to do is euthanize her.”

(Sigh)

I sadly agreed.

***

I walked into Izy after the return trip.  Léa’s face tightened.  And I too shook my head.

Two sad human beings

We did our best for a fellow being of the Earth

And our sick little companion leaves a legacy …

The ending of her life has saved many other lives