Rfalconcam Forum

VANCOUVER — A baby eagle from B.C.'s Hornby Island — whose 11 weeks of life were followed by more than 11,000 people through a webcam — has died, prompting an outpouring of emotion by bird-lovers online.

Phoenix the eaglet was hatched on April 29 in a tree in the yard of Doug and Sheila Carrick.

Doug has had a camera installed in the nest since 2004, at which time he was approached by eagle enthusiasts who wanted to transmit the images over the Internet.

The webcam-filmed nest has been extremely popular, drawing thousands of viewers online.

"This is sad news which nobody was expecting," Doug posted on the The Eagles of Hornby Island website Thursday, following the baby eagle's death.

"We will keep you all informed at every step. The plan is to get Phoenix down from the tree to find out exactly why this happened."

At 11:13 a.m., as 2,325 people watched a live videocam, a climber wearing an orange helmet pulled the lifeless bird out of the nest.

There was an immediate outpouring of sorrow from the thousands of fans of the eagle website.

"There are no words for the sadness here today," wrote Alexis Davidson. "Watched Phoenix pop out of the egg and kept close vigil. It is so devastating as I remember most the love the parents showed for their sweet little one."

Others wrote RIP notes and poems to the young bird.

Lisa Kelm Primrose wrote a verse which ended:

"Fly, fly little wing,

Fly where only angels sing,

Fly away, the time is right,

Go now, find the light."

Wrote Lori Anderson Armstrong: "This is so very sad. We've been watching Phoenix grow and were excited to see his/her first flight. RIP."

For more information also go to www.hornbyeagles.com.

Rest in Peace little Phoenix...poor baby!  :crying:

 :( :crying:

what a beautiful poem!  So sad, sweet little one.

Tribute to Phoenix:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSdMt7Ngd0U

So sad. Phoenix was almost ready for his first flight.  :'(

 
:crying:

 :(


 :'(

Posted http://www.hornbyeagles.com/...

Doug and Sheila Carrick, the Hornby Eagle Group, and friends are shocked and saddened to report the sudden death of our beloved Phoenix at 7:19 nest time, Wednesday, July 14. 

A rescue effort was under way, but Phoenix collapsed and had difficulty breathing. She died from unknown causes, at an age (76 days) where this is very rarely seen.

Her body was removed from the nest shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 15.  She was taken to Vancouver Island MARS wildlife rehabilitation centre.

This morning July 17th, we received the preliminary findings from the necropsy performed on Phoenix. Phoenix was a female. She died from acute bilateral mycotic pneumonia.  Other tests results will become available over the next week, and will confirm the causative agent. Because Phoenix's death was caused by an infectious disease, sadly, she cannot be returned to Hornby Island for interment.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Maj Birch (Mountainaire Avian Rescue), Dr. Schwantje (wildlife veterinarian, British Columbia Ministry of Environment) and Dr. Bowes (avian pathologist for the British Columbia Animal Health Laboratory) for their dedication and determination to learn as much from Phoenix as they could.

A.J.L.,
on behalf of Doug Carrick and the Hornby Eagle Group.

Terms:
Acute: rapid onset
Bilateral: both lungs
Mycotic: fungal
Pneumonia: inflammatory lung condition

We ask that you remember her by supporting the work of the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) (http://wingbeats.info/), who moved heaven and earth to get help to her.

  

We love you Phoenix and we mourn with Mom and Dad Hornby.

 

 

 

Rest in peace sweet little one and may you soar with the Angels now....