VDGIF, Wildlife Center Released Golden Eagle on February 16

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and The Wildlife Center of Virginia released a Golden Eagle on Wednesday, February 16 at the Harvey’s Knob Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway (about 12 miles north of Roanoke). Prior to release, Jeff Cooper, eagle biologist for DGIF and Dave Kramer, a Virginia Tech researcher, measured and banded the Golden Eagle.  They also fitted the bird with a GPS transmitter. Additional release photos Golden Eagle Release in the Media: DGIF Video of Eagle Release Golden Eagle Release Over Botetourt Impressive, The Botetourt View Injured Golden Eagle Released After Rehabilitation, The News & Advance Golden Eagle Released Back Into the Wild After Getting Caught in Coyote Trap, WDBJ-TV Golden Eagle Released After Recovering From Injury, WSET-TV Golden Eagle Released, After Getting Caught in Craig Co. Trap, WSLS-TV Golden Eagle Case History This adult Golden Eagle was found on January 9 with its toe caught in a foothold trap in Craig County. The bird was rescued by Conservation Police Officer J.W. Koloda, taken to permitted wildlife rehabilitator Gwenn Johnston, and then admitted to the Wildlife Center on January 11. Center veterinarians found that the eagle’s third toe on its right foot had an old, necrotic fracture that was down to the bone. The eagle’s toe was amputated on January 21; this toe is not critical to the eagle’s ability to hunt or perch. The bird recovered well from surgery and has spent several weeks in one of the Center’s largest outdoor flight pens. Additional information. Golden Eagle Study Although segments of the Golden Eagle population in the western United States have been extensively studied, relatively little is known about Golden Eagles east of the Mississippi. Increasing awareness of the significance of this population is one of the goals of the Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group, an international partnership founded in 2010 to address research gaps and to gather basic information about the distribution and ecology of this magnificent raptor. As a prominent and active member of the working group, VDGIF is engaging in Golden Eagle research in the mountains of Virginia. As part of that research, this Golden Eagle was outfitted with a transmitter with GPS to track its migration for up to 24 months. This project is being conducted in partnership with West Virginia University, Penn State University, and Conservation Management Institute at Virginia Tech. Additional information about the study. February 19: The Wildlife Center has already start to receive data on the movements of this Golden Eagle.  Please check back for more information early next week! About the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is the Commonwealth’s wildlife and boating agency responsible for wildlife population management, for promoting wildlife and boating related recreation, for protecting people and property in connection with hunting, fishing, and boating, and for enforcing wildlife and boating laws and regulations. In addition, the agency reaches out to the public to cultivate appreciation for wildlife and habitat. The agency owns more than 200,000 acres of property, more than 200 public lakes, and more than 200 boat landings available for hunting, fishing, boating and wildlife watching.  Additional information.