Derek Neary
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 22/98) - A one-winged raven is heading south to an Alberta bird sanctuary thanks to Premier Don Morin.

Marjorie Maund spotted the struggling bird near the Dettah ice road just over a week ago. Its badly diseased left wing needed to be amputated.

Maund needed authorization from the NWT Wildlife Department in order to have a veterinarian perform the surgery. A difference of opinion from the department led to Maund's calling Premier Don Morin at home. He was extremely understanding, said Maund.

"He was very supportive ... and said that he'd work on it," she said. "I don't know him and I thought, 'That is a really nice thing for him to do.'"

As a result, the bird's wing was successfully removed by a Yellowknife veterinarian during a 45-minute procedure.

"He's quite perky and he's recovered from the operation quite well. He's got his balance back and he's eating really well," Maund reported.

The Maunds have named the bird Tatso, Slavey for "raven."

As soon as he's healthy enough to travel, which could be as soon as next week, Tatso will transported to a southern bird sanctuary, Maund said. Obviously, he will never be able to fly again, but he can at least live out the rest of his days.

Maund advised that ravens don't make good pets and shouldn't be taken from their nests. The only reason she took in Tatso was because his life was threatened by his precarious condition.

The Maunds have also previously rescued another raven -- "Gumby" recovered recently and returned to the wild -- and a seagull. Marjorie's daughter Amy, an aspiring biologist, has devoted many hours to nurturing the animals.

"I'm afraid the birds are starting to pass our name around," Maund laughed.