Bald eagles to be released at Pocahontas State Park after rehabilitation
VENN
WAYNESBORO, Va. (WRIC) -- Two young bald eagles will be released at Pocahontas State Park on Wednesday, after months of rehabilitation with the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
According to a release from the wildlife center, both eagles spent their rehabilitation side by side in the same enclosure.
The first eagle was found as a grounded fledgling in Chesterfield County on May 18. Upon admission, the eagle was thin and showed signs of a possible pelvic fracture. The eagle was also suffering from lead poisoning -- a common risk for scavenging raptors.
The second eagle arrived at the center nearly a month later, on June 15. The juvenile was found on the side of the road in Hopewell. Although it had no visible injuries, its poor body condition suggested it may have been struggling to hunt or feed on its own.
After their initial treatments, the two eagles began daily conditioning to prepare them for their release back into the wild.
"The eagles progressed through their rehabilitation quickly, going from just five flight passes in the flight pen to more than 15,” said Alex Olvera, the center’s rehabilitation supervisor. “And they always seemed to want to land on the same perch—as soon as one would land, the second would land right on top of the other."
(Courtesy of the Wildlife Center of Virginia)
(Courtesy of the Wildlife Center of Virginia)
(Courtesy of the Wildlife Center of Virginia)
On Aug. 8, the two eagles were cleared for release by the center's vet team.
The release will take place at Pocahontas State Park on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 1 p.m. The event will be open to the public and free to attend -- with attendees encouraged to RSVP with their name and the number of their party.
For more information on the release, visit the wildlife center's website.
This year, the wildlife center is expected to treat more than 4,500 sick, injured or orphaned wild animals across the commonwealth. Thus far in 2025, the center has admitted 47 bald eagles.
