Ohio Wildlife Center’s Hospital currently has two Bald Eagle patients, both of which had to undergo extensive surgical procedures after sustaining life-altering trauma. It costs $300,000 a year to operate our free hospital, and these two eagles have received three surgeries that cost approximately $2,000 each. The Bald Eagle has been the national emblem of the United States since 1782, and you can show your support this 4th of July by sponsoring an eagle patient today!
Patient #1 Adult Bald Eagle
On March 9, 2015, this adult Bald Eagle was found grounded in Knox County with a fractured left wing. A representative from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife transported the eagle to our hospital for help. What makes this particular bird special is the fact that he was banded in 1996 at the Ft. Seneca nest in Seneca County, making him 19 years old! After the initial surgery, it was decided that the damage was too great and the wing had to be amputated. Since this eagle cannot be released with only one working wing, he is currently recovering in our hospital until placed in his new home as an education bird.
Patient #2 Juvenile Bald Eagle
On April 12, 2015, this juvenile Bald Eagle* (approximately 3 years old) came to us from Powell, Ohio. The bird was transported to our hospital by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. It was determined that the bird must have had a traumatic event within the last month of coming to us, as it had a misaligned beak and tongue displacement. Although the bird was able to fly, it probably was not able to eat well enough with the injury. After surgery, the beak alignment was repaired, but this eagle is no longer able to survive on his own. He is currently residing at the Columbus Zoo until placed in a new home as an education bird.
*Young eagles do not have the distinguishing white head and tail until they reach the age of five or six years. Immature eagles are almost uniformly dark brown from head to tail feather. Their undersides are mottled white with buff and cream blotches.