Bald eagle released after two years in rehab

[AlisonL]

From The Raptor Trust, November 12, 2016

Another Bald Eagle Release!

This juvenile Bald Eagle has been here in rehab for TWO YEARS, and this past Thursday, we gave him his wings...almost literally. He was recovered in Clinton, NJ with feather damage two years ago. Often, birds will rejuvenate a healthy set of feathers with each year's molt. However, this poor guy had such severe feather damage that after TWO years, he still barely had a healthy set of feathers.

Senior rehab officer, Cathy Malok, performed a process called "imping" (short for implanting) and grafted  a few feathers into this bird's wing to help complete a set a feathers. And so...two days ago, we transported the bird to Cape May County where many other eagles spend the winter and we sent him off on his journey.

We don't know quite why the bird, only a first year bird when it was admitted to us, had such severe feather damage. Possible that it was electrocuted. Another theory is that survivors of West Nile Virus (which we do see in raptors) can have long-term effects to feather growth. All we know is that after a very long residence here at TRT, he finally had a full set of feathers (with a little help).

It was now or never for this guy. With such fragile feathers, the possibility of further feather damage is always present in captivity. Further complicating this young bird's chances is the fact that he came in at such a young age he has spent more of his life in captivity than in the wild. He did, however, spend almost 9 months with another well-known eagle in his cage - Lily, who was also recently released.

These are difficult decisions, but almost always we try to err on the side of giving these birds a chance. This bird, despite not having a lot of hunting experience, has the best opportunity he can possibly have right now. The weather in South Jersey is still fair. He is as well fed as he can be and his feathers, for the first time ever, are in pretty good shape. There are other juvenile eagles in the area who he can winter with. There are good food sources nearby, including scavenging options so he'll have some easy meals while he practices hunting.

So...off you go, Mr Eagle, and we wish you well.

Thanks to Kathy Clark of the Endangered and Nongame Species Program, NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, for helping during the release of this bird, and special thanks to all of The Raptor Trust staff for caring for this bird for two years.

There is a short video of the release at the link:

https://www.facebook.com/theraptortrust/videos/vb.437528279669838/1157289514360374/?type=3&theater

I wish this beautiful eagle safe flying always, a long life, and every success in the wild. I am grateful to The Raptor Trust for caring for him for such a long time, and for giving him this second chance. It is interesting that he spent almost nine months sharing space with Lily.

[MAK]

Maybe he and Lily will find each other and live happily ever after. Yeah, that's what I'm going to believe. 

[Carol P.]

Amazing what they can do. 

[Tapper Gal]

What a beautiful sight!! Congratulations to all who helped this eagle in recovering!!!!