On December 10, a Bald Eagle -- likely a fourth-year bird -- was found down in a frozen swamp at Caledon State Park in King George County. A park ranger was able to capture the bird, and it was admitted later that same day to the Wildlife Center.
Dr. Peach, one of the Center's veterinary interns, examined the female eagle when she arrived. The bird was laying down in the transport crate and was able to be picked up easily. The eagle was damp, though didn't appear to have any fractures; the only significant injury found was a deep puncture wound on the left side of her back. Radiographs revealed increased lucency in the chest cavity, suggesting free air within the body cavity. It's likely that the puncture, possibly due to a fight with another eagle, followed by a fall to the ground, caused the eagle to sustain ruptured air sacs.
Bloodwork was within normal limits; a lead analysis showed a lead level of 0.153 ppm, which indicates that the bird was exposed to lead at some point, though not at a high enough level to warrant treatment. Dr. Peach cleaned and bandaged the deep puncture mark, started a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, and gave subcutaneous fluids to the eagle.
The following day, the eagle was bright, alert and perching. The deep puncture wound had some mild discharge; Dr. Peach carefully cleaned and re-bandaged the wound. The bird will continue current medications, and another lead test will be performed later this week.
Eagle in the news:
Eagle trapped in ice at Caledon State Park rescued and rehabbing at Wildlife Center of Virginia, The Free Lance-Star
