PROGRESS REPORT NO. 1 AVIAN TRAINING PROGRAM <SANITIZED> (CONTRACT NO. <SANITIZED>)

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Animal Partners
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06638335
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: September 6, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2019
• Publication Date: May 5, 1974

Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06638335 3.3(h)(2)
,RD 4.05et(
5 May 1974
PROGRESS REPORT No. 1
AVIAN TRAINING PROGRAM
(Feb.-March 1974)
Program Director:
Dear Sir:
Enclosed is a copy of the pathology report relating
to the 2 falcons. This concerns only 1 falcon but the
other, performed by another lab. ,is essentially the
same. You may note that the report states "etiology-un-
known."
In retrospect, we believe the root cause is linked
to a condition referred to in the falconer's vernacular
as "bumble foot." In simple terms it means an infection
in the bird's feet of the streptococus variety.
The reason this infection attacks birds of prey (in captivity)
has never been clearly understood. Some opinions reflect
the idea that it is catisbsi by a diet deficiency. We
reject this because other'birds of-the same.type, on
the same diet, are not effected.
It seems to us that the original abrasions were caused
by keeping the birds on a cement floor at San Clemente
Island and that finally their expirations came as a
result of treating the feet by soaking in hot water.
We did this on the advise of one veterinarian and accord-
ing to the opinion of another one this treatment caused
the infection to spread into the bird's organs resulting
in termination.
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AVIAN TRAINING PROGRAM
In any case, our new birds show no signs of the
bumble foot condition and they are being kept in in-
divdual cages equipped with padded perches.
In the field they are doing very well in the
initial training, still on land. They should be working
over water in a matter of a couple of weeks.
Included with this report is an account of the
boat accident and damage. It is not as severe as the
report would seem to indicate. All of the cosmetic
features, except for the radar,have been restored.
RPcnimrFfillly
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TISSUE REPORT
NOT STAMD
W:4 E S NAME P E I'S NAME . -
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IC *E ____:-) MALE. ---...------ F EM A L E . -. C A T : ' DOG . _ 7:-.,"�4 1 0 (-).:.'
spEcimEN "27'F'::
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CLAN! C .:- L IMP P, i'l rn :4
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DATE
The specimen consists of a piece each of .liver,.kidney, lung, heart
and gizzard which in aggregate measure 2.6 x 2.9 X 1.3 cms. All the
speeions are grossly unremarkable. Plultible representative portions
of each tissue are submitted for sectioNing..
1.2CRIPTI01-1;
:.;ections are of liver, kidney, heart and gizzare..-Principai lesions
pre.sent in the liver. ary..1...idney. The hepatic lesiOns consist of
cloudy swelling of the hepatocYtes, congestion,. accumulation of
heno'..:ijrin :in the kupffer cells. Rnd variable neutrophilic exudate.
ie renal pathology.l.s characterized by granular awe:Inn:7., pyknosis,
and necrosis of the tubular epithelium, congestion. and glom.erular
�_.tronh.:!.. The gizzard exhibits congestion of the submucosa, muscularis
and. .srose. The myocardium shows only minimal changes consisting of
congestion.
lk) etiologic aent is identified in any of the organs.
DIAGn:31.3: 'HEPATOaENAL-TIff.201.T, (ETIOLOY UNNNOWN)
'.:*.ote.: r1_':le above is consistent with concomitant dama:E.1 of liver Emd
only C,1 j infectiens, toxemia and shock. The syndrori..,e
:..,-,.o..'m to run a fulminant ..anid coure due to 7-)ro.,71"ecy,ive renal
, .
-fnilu..r.c .d liver injury..
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Accident Report
On 25 March 1974 the Formula boat (j24), stationed
at San Clemente and used on the Avian Training Program,
was involved in an accident which occured at the N.O.T.S.
pier area on the east side of the Island.
The condition of the power systems prior to the accident
were as follows i function of the port engine and outdrive
system was normal. The linkage connecting the controls
with the starboard outdrive was inoperative due to a
sheared bolt at the shift lever. The gears could be operated
manually from the engine compartment. Repairs to the linkage
were hampered by accessibility problems which would have
put the boat out of action for several days at a critical
time.
On approaching the pier the starboard engine was shut
down because of the lack of shift function. As the boat
came alongside the pier the port outdrive linkage failed,
leaving the gears in forward. The port engine was then shut
down. Attempts were made to secure the boat to the pier
to no avail. The first swell put the boat on the rocks.
The boat then came broadside to the swells and was moved
along the rocks and under the pier. The radar scanning
unit and the deck struck under structure of the pier. A
line was then secured to the pier and the boat was pulled
free.
The hull suffered no serious damage and has been
repaired. Both propellers was damaged and they too have
been replaced. The deck has also been restored. The
scanning unit was bent out of alignment and the antenna
dome damaged.
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� ACCIDENT REPORT
Al]. repairs have now been completed except for the
radar unit.
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