PATIENT: Bald Eagle, #11-0230

LOCATION OF RESCUE:  Accomack County, VA

CAUSE OF ADMISSION:  Injured in a fight with another Bald Eagle

ADMISSION DATE: April 1, 2011

PROGNOSIS: Non-releasable

On March 24, two mature Bald Eagles were seen fighting in the air near Onancock in Accomack County.  One Bald Eagle was on the losing end of the fight–and tumbled to the ground below.  Permitted wildlife rehabilitator Kathy Cummings was called to the scene; she captured the bird and took it to the Eastern Shore Animal Hospital where it was treated for soft tissue trauma.

On April 1, rehabilitator Gay Frazee transported the eagle to the Wildlife Center.  Upon admission, this bird was bright and alert — and a bit intimidating because of its large size!  Weighing in at 4.75 kilograms (more than 10 pounds), this eagle is actually a bit thin — so isn’t even up to her full weight.  The eagle is likely a female, and a large one at that. 

Dr. Miranda Sadar found soft tissue wounds in the axillary (armpit) region of the eagle’s left wing as well as in the inguinal (upper thigh) area of the left leg.  Dr. Miranda also noted that the eagle was not flexing one of the toes on its right foot.  Blood was drawn for initial tests; the eagle also received fluids, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories. 

On April 2, the Bald Eagle was anesthetized for radiographs and a closer inspection of the injuries.  The wounds under the eagle’s wing are healing more quickly than those on the upper thigh area.  Dr. Miranda carefully flushed and debrided the leg wound and sutured it closed.  Radigraphs confirmed a problem with the bird’s toe; at this point, it looks like a bone infection.  Additional antibiotics were started to treat the infection.

Bald Eagle #11-0230 will be monitored for the next five days; at that point, the veterinary staff will assess whether or not the eagle can move to an outdoor enclosure.  Another set of foot radiographs are scheduled for April 9.

Note:  Another Bald Eagle (#11-0231) from Accomack County was admitted on April 1, along with #11–230.  This eagle was hit by a car on March 29 and was also picked up by rehabilitator Kathy Cummings.  Unfortunately, that eagle had sustained an injury to its right wing, which involved the elbow joint.  Because that type of injury would prevent the eagle from recovering normal joint function, it was humanely euthanized.

April 12 update

Bald Eagle #11-0230 has proven to be a challenging patient — in addition to being large and feisty, this eagle is also a bit uncooperative.  While the wound under the eagle’s wing has healed well, the wound on the bird’s upper thigh is healing more slowly — only because the eagle has made many attempts to pick at the sutures.  Despite this interference, the wound is closing. 

The greater concern at this point is that the Bald Eagle isn’t eating well.  The veterinary staff have been handfeeding the bird, but the eagle often regurgitates the food shortly after she is fed.  The veterinary staff plan on moving the Bald Eagle to a quieter outdoor area where she can still remain in her large eagle crate. 

Additional radiographs of the eagle’s feet were taken on April 9  — no changes were seen in the bird’s swollen toe.  More radiographs will be taken at a later date. 

May 5 update

Once moved to a quieter outdoor area in mid-April, Bald Eagle #11-0230 began eating on her own and keeping her food down.  Her incision site was slow to heal, but by early May, her wound was completely closed.

On May 1, the eagle was moved into a larger flight pen.  The eagle still isn’t flying, and spends most of her time on low perches.  She occasionally sports a left wing droop.  Veterinarians will continue to monitor her activity and hope that given enough time, she will recover and will begin flying.

May 27 update

Not much has changed with Bald Eagle #11-0230 in the past few weeks.  The bird continues to droop her left wing — though in re-checking radiographs, there doesn’t appear to be any reason why she is doing that.  Because her injuries are fairly similar to those of the Gloucester eagle that was at the Center earlier this year, the veterinary team is suspecting nerve damage to her wing.  After looking at several studies on nerve regeneration, the veterinarians know that if that’s the case, improvement may not be seen for several more months. 

In the meantime, the Bald Eagle is in one of the Center’s intermediate sized outdoor enclosures. 

August 9 update

Over the course of the summer, Bald Eagle #11-0230 has been housed in one of the Center’s outdoor intermediate-sized flight pens.  The veterinary team have monitored her regularly to check on the status of her wing droop, in addition to the regular weighings and foot and feather checks.  The pronounced wing droop has persisted.

Based on several studies on nerve regeneration, the veterinary team calculated the lengthiest period of time that it would take to see improvement in the bird’s wing –if improvements were to be seen – would likely be in early August.

On August 4, when more flight pen space became available, the Bald Eagle was moved into one of the largest flight enclosures [A-2] for further assessment.  The eagle was not able to fly very well and made several short low flights down the length of the flight pen – and continued to droop her left wing. 

The veterinary team decided to keep her in the flight enclosure to see if her wing droop showed any improvement over the next couple of weeks while she is put on a short course of anti-inflammatories.  At this point, the team suspect that the nerve damage from her initial injury may be permanent.

August 23 update

On August 22, the veterinary staff critically assessed Bald Eagle #11-0230’s wing droop.  Despite the course of anti-inflammatories, and extra time in the large flight pen, there was no change visualized.  The eagle is only able to fly about two feet off the ground.  After much consideration, the veterinary team decided to declare the eagle non-releasable.  The bird was moved to a smaller outdoor flight pen for the time being.

The veterinary staff will be discussing the bird’s injuries and disposition this week, but think that placement is a likely option for the eagle. 

October 12 update

Bald Eagle #11-0230 continues to live in one of the Center’s small outdoor raptor enclosures.  

December 8 update

Bald Eagle #11-0230 moved to one of the Center’s larger flight pens in November — and is actually spending some time with fellow Eastern Shore Bald Eagle #11-2393.  Eagle #11-0230 has actually made improvements with her flight within the past month — though is still not flying well enough for release.

April 4 update

Bald Eagle #11-0230 continues to live with Accomack County Bald Eagle #11-2393; both birds have moved to various flight pens throughout the winter depending on what pens are needed for other recovering patients.  Currently they are both being housed in A2.  Placement options are still being considered.

April 11 update

Bald Eagle #11-0230 will be placed as an education bird at Skymasters Wildlife Foundation, in conjunction with John Hutchings Museum of Natural History, in Lehi, Utah.  Permitting paperwork often takes several months to finalize, so the Wildlife Center staff anticipate that the eagle will remain at the Center for a few more months. 

In the meantime, the eagle is being housed in A2.  The veterinary team continues to check the eagle’s feet and feathers every two weeks.  The eagle has a set of protective “bumpers” on its carpi [wrists] to prevent any bumps and bruises when it is caught up for these checks.

Stop by the Wildlife Center’s Critter Cam over the next couple of days to see this Bald Eagle on cam!

The Center depends on the donations of caring individuals to provide veterinary care to wildlife and training in wildlife veterinary medicine.  Please help!