- Admitted
- November 19, 2025
- Released
- April 15, 2026
- Rescue Location
- Middlesex County
- Cause of Admission/Condition
- Suspected fight with another eagle
- Status
- Former Patient
Last Updated Jump to patient updates
On November 19, 2025, an adult Bald Eagle was admitted to the Wildlife Center after being found injured in Middlesex County, following a suspected fight with another eagle. Eastern Virginia Wildlife Rescue responded to the scene, safely captured the bird, and transported him to the Center for emergency care.
On admission, the eagle was quiet but alert, with significant head trauma. Closer examination revealed multiple puncture wounds to the head and neck—injuries severe enough to require immediate stabilization. “We ended up stapling the worst of the wounds shut before we could even do surgery,” said Dr. Karra, Director of Veterinary Services. In addition to the puncture wounds, the eagle also had swelling along the shoulders and back, as well as subclinical lead toxicosis.
The veterinary team immediately began treating the eagle with pain medication, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, fluids, and chelation therapy to remove the lead. During the next two months, staff continued to aggressively treat the eagle’s injuries, which required repeated wound cleaning, repair, and surgical removal of damaged tissue. “He’s undergone at least ten procedures since admission so that we could reconstruct the wound,” said Dr. Karra. “It’s been a very slow, deliberate process, but he’s come such a long way.”
Currently, the eagle is housed in the Center’s hospital, where the team can closely monitor him. The chelation therapy was successful, and follow-up testing confirmed that the lead has been fully removed from his system. The majority of the eagle’s wounds around the beak and top of the head have healed, though one wound on the back of the bird’s head has proven more challenging and is still being actively treated; on January 2, the eagle underwent his most recent procedure to debride dead tissue and suture the wound closed.
For now, the team will continue to closely monitor the eagle, providing ongoing medical care and supportive treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries and the long recovery still ahead, the bird’s prognosis remains guarded.
Patient Updates
By mid-February, after several additional surgeries and intensive wound management, Bald Eagle #25-4133’s wounds had almost fully healed. The eagle was moved into one of the Center’s large A3 flight pens to begin a daily exercise regimen to rebuild flight strength and stamina. Initially, the bird was able to perform only five flight passes of the enclosure, but by April, she was completing up to 15 passes with excellent flight form.
On April 13, the eagle received a final exam with the veterinary team and was officially cleared for release! The eagle was released at Belle Isle State Park on Wednesday, April 15, at 1:00 p.m.