Injured eagle likely struck by plane: Va.

[Donna]

WAYNESBORO -- A bald eagle likely was struck by an airplane near Newport News-Williamsburg Airport.

It's being treated at the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro, the organization that's caring for an eagle from Norfolk Botanical Garden that had Avian Pox.

"On January 20, we received a call that a Bald Eagle may have been hit near the airport. The next day, airport authorities indicated no eagle had been found," said Randy Huwa with the Wildlife Center of Virginia.

On Tuesday, however, airport officials contacted the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries about an injured bald eagle, said Huwa.

DGIF Conservation Police Officer George Wilson coordinated the recovery effort for the injured eagle.

The injured bird was located Tuesday and transported to the Animal Clinic and Wellness Center in Williamsburg, where it was examined and stabilized.

After being secured in a figure-eight bandage, the eagle was transported to the Waynesboro center Wednesday by DGIF biologist Susan Watson.

The eagle, believed to be a 7-8-year-old male, has an open fracture of a bone in its left wing.

"The greatest threat at this point is the risk of infection," Huwa stated.

Radiographs also raised concerns about a lung infection, so the eagle is receiving two different antibiotics and pain medications.

He'll be closely monitored over the next few days.

This is the fourth bald eagle admitted to the Waynesboro center so far this year.

According to the Web site birdstrike.org, 110 bald eagles have been struck by aircraft in the U.S. since 1990.

Stats compiled by the FAA show that 4 eagles have been struck by aircraft in Virinia since 2002. That includes previous male mate of the resident female at Norfolk Botanical Garden. At the time, those eagles nested at Norfolk International Airport.

DGIF biologist Stephen Living says eagles are less likely to be struck by aircraft than other types of birds such as gulls, which can gather in huge flocks urban areas.

Living says it's not possible to know if the injured eagle was a Peninsula resident or a transient eagle.

There is no known nest in the immediate vicinity of the airport, although there a number on the Peninsula," said Living. "Although Virginia's bald eagles are moving into the early part of their nesting season, it is still possible to have an unattached adult passing through."

[valhalla]

Yiks!  I feel badly for both the eagle and the pilot.  I hope the big guy heals.

[Donna]

Yiks!  I feel badly for both the eagle and the pilot.  I hope the big guy heals.

Sadly Janet, he did not make it   

WAYNESBORO -- A bald eagle believed to have been struck by an aircraft near Newport News-Williamsburg Airport has died.

The adult male, believed to be 7 or 8 years old, was taken to the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro last week. An examination revealed it had an open fracture in its left wing and a possible lung infection.

The eagle died Sunday morning just after completing the day's treatment.

"It was started throwing up fluids and showing respiratory distress.　 He was tubed and epinephrine was administered, but the eagle could not be revived," stated Randy Huwa, spokesman for the Wildlife Center of Va.

The bald eagle likely was struck on January 20, but a search that day and the next turned up nothing.   Then, last week, airport officials called to report finding an injured bald eagle.

After being stabilized at a clinic in in Williamsburg, it was sent to the center to determine whether it could be saved.

[valhalla]

 

[Annette]

 

[Kris G.]

I read about this yesterday but didn't know he had died-so sad...

[Bird Crazy]