Post by Woody Williams on Feb 7, 2006 10:35:30 GMT -5
Eagles healed, released
By The Associated Press
February 7, 2006
SEYMOUR, Ind. - Two immature bald eagles found ailing two weeks ago have been released into the wild after being nursed back to health by volunteers.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources volunteer Tammy Davis and agency staff released the birds Sunday at the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge about 40 miles southeast of Bloomington.
The male, which was released first, weighed nearly 8 pounds and had a wing span of 6 feet. The female eagle weighed about 10 pounds and had a wing span of 7 feet, Davis said.
She was among the people who cared for the male and female eagles while the birds rehabilitated in flight cages at the refuge east of Seymour.
The eagles incurred a $1,300 veterinary bill while recovering, which was paid for by the Hardy Lake Friends Group. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service turned down a request to help pay for the eagles' care.
Feeding the pair was a group effort, Davis said.
Because the birds didn't eat well while in the cages, the handlers cut up the food and fed them with tweezers.
An area resident, Brenda Anderson of Vallonia, had found the eagles south of the Medora Covered Bridge two weeks ago.
Muscatatuck was chosen at the last minute, refuge director Marc Webber said. DNR officials had first chosen Lake Monroe as the location to release the birds.
"We're just trying to facilitate getting the birds back into the wild," Webber said, adding that occasionally, bald eagles nest at Muscatatuck.
By The Associated Press
February 7, 2006
SEYMOUR, Ind. - Two immature bald eagles found ailing two weeks ago have been released into the wild after being nursed back to health by volunteers.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources volunteer Tammy Davis and agency staff released the birds Sunday at the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge about 40 miles southeast of Bloomington.
The male, which was released first, weighed nearly 8 pounds and had a wing span of 6 feet. The female eagle weighed about 10 pounds and had a wing span of 7 feet, Davis said.
She was among the people who cared for the male and female eagles while the birds rehabilitated in flight cages at the refuge east of Seymour.
The eagles incurred a $1,300 veterinary bill while recovering, which was paid for by the Hardy Lake Friends Group. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service turned down a request to help pay for the eagles' care.
Feeding the pair was a group effort, Davis said.
Because the birds didn't eat well while in the cages, the handlers cut up the food and fed them with tweezers.
An area resident, Brenda Anderson of Vallonia, had found the eagles south of the Medora Covered Bridge two weeks ago.
Muscatatuck was chosen at the last minute, refuge director Marc Webber said. DNR officials had first chosen Lake Monroe as the location to release the birds.
"We're just trying to facilitate getting the birds back into the wild," Webber said, adding that occasionally, bald eagles nest at Muscatatuck.
?? Ohhhhh, I get it "ill eagles" ... illegal..