On May 10, an adult female Bald Eagle was found down on the ground in Richmond County. The bird was unable to fly and had blood coming from her mouth; she was captured and taken to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator. The following day, the eagle was transported to the Wildlife Center.
Upon admission, the eagle was quiet but alert and was standing in her transport crate. The veterinary team examined the bird and found a laceration in the eagle’s mouth, as well as superficial lacerations on her face, legs, and feet. No fractures were palpated or visualized on radiographs, though the eagle’s right shoulder was mildly swollen. A lead test revealed a level of 0.058 ppm; at this low level, treatment wasn’t warranted. Additional blood work was within normal limits.
The bird was treated with fluids and anti-inflammatories, and the team decided to move the eagle to a small outdoor enclosure for additional observation. The eagle did well in a C-pen enclosure in the two weeks following her admission; on May 31, the bird was moved into flight pen A3. The rehabilitation staff started a light exercise program on June 2; the bird is able to fly and uses both wings symmetrically.
As of June 11, the eagle is flying an average of 10 passes in the enclosure; the rehabilitation staff will increase this to 15 passes as the bird’s stamina continues to improve. In the A3 space, the eagle is also serving as an adult role model for eaglet #18-1139; you can watch both birds on one of the Center’s Critter Cams!
