On July 22, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries conducted a surprise inspection of a wildlife rehabilitation facility in eastern Virginia, which resulted in the seizure of several birds of prey. Among them was Bald Eagle #16-1663 which was transferred to the Wildlife Center for evaluation and care. No medical records were sent with the birds, but social media reports state that this young eagle hatched earlier this year in Virginia Beach. In May, when biologists with the Center for Conservation Biology went to the nest to band the eaglets and to place transmitters on the young birds, they found fishing line wrapped tightly around one eaglet's foot. The bird was pulled from the nest and treated.
When the bird was admitted to the Wildlife Center this past week, Dr. Ernesto found that the old constriction wound had healed, but had caused long-term damage to the digits on the bird's right foot. While the keratin on the bird's talons is slowly growing, the underlying bone on each of the four digits is missing or deformed, which means the talons will never fully grow back. Without talons, the bird will not be able to effectively obtain food and defend itself, which makes the eagle non-releasable.
In addition to the foot injuries, Dr. Ernesto also found an old, healed fracture in the eaglet's right ulna. The Bald Eagle tested positive for lead, though the sub-clinical level of 0.034 ppm doesn't require treatment. The bird will be placed in an outdoor enclosure for additional monitoring and evaluation. As long as the eagle doesn't show signs of bumblefoot due to the foot injuries, the Center will likely seek placement at an educational institution.