Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators
This juvenile eagle came in to our friends at Indiana Raptor Center in Nashville. It will need the leg amputated, and will never be able to be released. Amputation of a leg is not really a solution in raptors because they must place too much pressure on the remaining foot, and the foot develops pressure sores and infection. If a prosthesis if possible, and it can stand without creating foot issues there is a very remote possibility that it could be used as an education bird.
It would certainly be an effective illustration of how a moment's thoughtlessness with a gun can destroy the life of such a beautiful animal. Dr. Clarke is consulting the experts at the University of Minnesota to see if this is even possible. If not he must be euthanized.What a senseless act!
This is the result of someones malice - this used to be the leg of a bald eagle, but as you can see a large portion is missing with bone fragments protruding from it. Let's hope we can catch this person and they actually receive the actual federal fine for their crime.
Here's a redtail hawk adult we got yesterday who is truly thankful to be here. When we received him he was badly dehydrated and emaciated, and could not stand up. After getting fluids and slowly putting him back on food, he just grabbed a dead mouse out of my hand and is looking WAY better. Other than an abrasion on his wrist, there is nothing obviously wrong. Now that he's perked up, later today he'll get a thorough exam, blood work and xrays, if indicated. Our thanks to the finders who brought him all the way to us from Hanover, IN!
