Third bald eagle admitted to Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center in less than two weeks
VENN
ROANOKE, Va. (WRIC) -- A third bald eagle has been admitted to Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center in less than two weeks, with the most recent rescue requiring a staff member to cross a creek to bring it to safety.
According to a release from the wildlife center on Oct. 30, a mature adult female from Bedford County admitted on Oct. 26 weighed nearly 11 pounds. It had a small hairline fracture on its beak, a mild shoulder girdle injury and an old gunshot wound that has healed with the lead pellet still inside. The eagle also had a left eye injury, chest and lung trauma and exhibited symptoms of lead poisoning.
(Photo Courtesy of Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center)
(Photo Courtesy of Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center)
(Photo Courtesy of Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center)
(Photo Courtesy of Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center)
(Photo Courtesy of Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center)
(Photo Courtesy of Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center)
A staff member crossed a creek to reach the Bedford eagle, pulled it from the water and brought it to safety.
"The third eagle remains under our care, and while its prognosis is guarded, we’re doing everything possible to give it a fighting chance," the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center wrote in the press release.
The first two eagles came to the wildlife center in critical condition and later died. Both suffered severe injuries and were "simply too weak upon admission to recover," officials said in a release.
The first bald eagle from Pearisburg is suspected to have been hit by a vehicle and died with high levels of lead present in its blood, and also had an irreparable fracture. The second bald eagle from Radford was experiencing respiratory issues and an eye injury, later dying due to complications from lead toxicosis.
Pearisburg Oct. 14 bald eagle (Photo Courtesy of Wildlife Center of Virginia)
Radford Oct. 18 bald eagle (Photo Courtesy of Wildlife Center of Virginia)
The first eagle arrived on Oct. 14 from Pearisburg, and the second arrived on Oct. 26 from Bedford, the wildlife center said.
"If the public finds dead wild upland game birds, avian scavengers (crows, raptors, owls, etc) or find 5 or more dead waterfowl, shorebirds, or seabirds in the same area [within] 1-2 days, please notify the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) at 855-571-9003." the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) said.
