In addition to the Bald Eagle brought from its nest at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, the Wildlife Center of Virginia is currently treating four other Bald Eagles:

Eagle #06-2169
This adult Bald Eagle was admitted on October 11, 2006 from Westmoreland County, Virginia. The bird - a small male - was found at a marina; its feathers were partially covered in oil. While the eagle ran very well, it could not fly and was emaciated. Within the first month of hospitalization, the eagle lost many of his flight feathers. This eagle has broken his primary flight feathers on the left wing three or four times. Radiographs taken on July 2, 2008 show no signs of joint, bone, or soft-tissue damage that would lead to this repetitive injury. Because of the continuing feather issues, this eagle has been deemed non-releasable. Later this year, the Center will be transferring this eagle to its new permanent home with Conservation Ambassadors in California. http://www.zootoyou.org
[Animals admitted to the Center are given sequential patient numbers - in the order in which they are admitted. Patient #06-2169 was the 2,169th patient admitted to the Center during 2006, out of a total patient-count for the entire year of 2,354 animals.]
Eagle #08-646
This adult Bald Eagle was admitted on May 8, 2008 from Richmond County, Virginia. This bird suffered trauma from an unknown source and had a broken coracoid bone (large bone that makes up the shoulder girdle in birds). The coracoid fracture appears to have healed well, and the eagle has recovered from some foot injuries. The eagle is now sharing one of the Center's large flight pens with Eagle #08-1259. Center staff will continue to exercise #08-646 - a possible candidate for release later this year.
Eagle #08-1259
This young Bald Eagle [hatched this spring] was admitted on June 17 from Rockingham County. The bird weighed in at 4.41kg [about 9.7 pounds] and, based on its large size, is likely a female. The bird was found on the Merck property north of Highway 340 near a chain-link fence [Merck employees have been watching this eagle since it hatched and have nicknamed it "Jerry"]. The eagle was captured by biologists from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and brought to the Wildlife Center. At admission, the Bald Eagle was drooping its left wing but was standing in the carrier. On physical examination, the bird was fairly dull but in good body condition; had a fractured clavicle and coracoid bone; and had a charred area of feathers and skin on the tip of the right wing. The bird also had blood coming from its trachea. Based on the clinical signs and the fresh nature of all wounds, Center vets surmise that the eagle came into contact with a power line or another form of electrical wiring, and broke its bones when it hit the ground. The Wildlife Center veterinary staff took x-rays of the bird, performed a lead test (which was negative), and tested the blood for infections and indications of organ damage. While the eagle's bones are healing well, on July 2, 2008 the eagle stopped eating and stopped processing food - a condition called crop stasis. Center veterinary staff performed a fluoroscopy on July 2 to visualize contractions of the crop and gastrointestinal tract but found no movement whatsoever. In all likelihood, this condition was set off by the electrical shock the bird suffered. However, the bird responded well to treatment and is now eating normally. The eagle had a pronounced left-wing droop - in the flight pen, the eagle would flap its right wing but only glide with its left wing. During the past few weeks, however, the Center veterinary staff has seen a significant improvement in use of the left wing. The eagle is now sharing one of the Center's large flight pens with Eagle 08-646. The Center staff will continue to monitor and exercise #08-1259 - a possible candidate for release later this year. "Merck Eagle" Goes to Wildlife Center, Daily News-Record, June 24, 2008
Eagle #08-1772
This adult Bald Eagle was admitted on July 25, 2008 from Lynchburg - the 20th eagle admitted to the Wildlife Center during 2008. The bird was rescued from a dumpster near the city landfill by Lynchburg Animal Control. Center vets found a fracture of the left coracoid and a corneal ulcer on the right eye. Blood tests further revealed anemia and a low protein level, although lead readings were within the normal range. This eagle did test positive for exposure to organophosphates/pesticides - a common cause of morbidity in birds of prey in Virginia.

NOTE: Eagle #08-1254 was admitted to the Center on June 16, 2008 from King George County. Blood tests found elevated levels of organophospates/pesticides. The eagle had a significant right-wing droop, and later radiographs found a loss of bone density in the eagle's wrist. Several different methods of bandaging the wing and other treatments produced no improvements. The bird also developed serious foot lesions, and its overall condition continued to deteriorate. Without viable additional treatment options, and because the eagle was not a candidate for placement, the eagle was euthanized on August 26.

The Wildlife Center of Virginia gratefully acknowledges the special financial support of its work with Bald Eagles provided by the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.

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