After more than a month of intensive care and rehabilitation, Bald Eagle #26-0356 has successfully been returned to the wild!
This eagle was rescued on March 15 after he was seen falling from a tree in Westmoreland County. Upon admission, our veterinary team found a fracture in the eagle's right coracoid bone, and a blood test revealed that the bird also had lead poisoning. Veterinary staff immediately began treatment to remove the lead and placed the bird on crate rest while his fracture healed.
After one month of treatment, the eagle's fracture had healed, and the lead was successfully removed from his system. On April 16, our rehabilitation team began exercising the bird to help him regain strength; by May 5, the eagle was flying beautifully and was officially cleared for release.
The eagle was released at Westmoreland State Park in front of a crowd of about 65 people. Cat, the Center’s event coordinator, said the eagle “shot right out of the crate and flew strongly toward the Potomac River before veering left and disappearing from sight.”
Photos from the release!
