UPDATE: It appears that the rehabbed eagle that was recently released has reunited with her mate as two eagles have been seen together in the sky near where she was found. While she was being cared for, there was only one eagle seen regularly. Great news as mating season is underway!
ICYMI: Last Saturday, a female bald eagle was successfully released back into the wild after nearly dying from acute zinc poisoning. Here’s the amazing story of her rescue, treatment and release.
On Sunday, January 10, 3-year old Steven Rozzi spotted something big in his backyard and alerted his mom, Cherie Bissinger. It was a bald eagle, unable to fly and tangled in brush at the edge of the woods. Cherie and her husband Steven quickly notified DEC who contacted wildlife rehabilitator Barbara “Missy” Runyan of the Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center in Hunter, NY.
DEC ECO Mike Buckley and Missy determined that the eagle was blind. She had cuts on her face, bent feathers and was having seizures. Her liver and kidneys were failing as well. A band on her leg identified her as originally from Delaware County and 13 years old.
Blood tests done later revealed acute zinc poisoning from sources as yet unknown. Missy immediately began chelation therapy and within 72 hours, the eagle had regained her sight!
Missy and her volunteers gently steamed straight the eagle’s bent feathers, saw to her wounds and continued to monitor her progress. She was kept in a special eagle enclosure to keep her stress levels low. Eagles are very sensitive and can die from the stress of capture or even release if not handled very carefully.
Fortunately, Missy has lots of experience with eagles, and knew exactly how to handle and treat this one. The release on Saturday, January 31, from the same backyard where she was found, went perfectly. We’re hoping, as it is eagle breeding season, that she’ll find her mate, who has been seen in the area.
This beautiful eagle lived because everyone involved did exactly the right thing. If you find an injured eagle, call DEC’s ECO dispatch (1-844-332-3267). If necessary, the ECO will contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator who handles eagles. Do not try to help the eagle yourself, as you or the eagle could be injured.
Zinc can be found in many different potential sources, including fertilizers and galvanized metal coatings used in bridges and docks, and can bioaccumlate in fish and other prey. DEC is still investigating how this eagle might have become poisoned by Zinc.
