Success Stories
First-year Bald
Eagle recovers from car collision injuries
In
mid-June 2007, a very large first-year female Bald eagle
slammed into a car in Prince George’s County while
hunting for food. Because birds have very delicate bones
(their light weight allows them to fly), they are
particularly susceptible to bone fractures. The eagle
came to Wildlife Rescue for treatment. She was found to
have a small fracture in her collarbone and a head
injury. Gerda, Wildlife Rescue's President and Executive
Director, once again worked her magic. Over the next few
weeks, consuming 2 pounds of fresh croaker and a rat a
day (birds of prey require all parts of their prey to
have a nutritionally complete diet); the head injury
resolved itself and the fracture healed. Ms. Eagle was
re-evaluated by one of our veterinarians and was given
the OK for release. Volunteer Liz Smith contacted Greg
Kearnes and transported Ms. Eagle to Patuxent National
Wildlife Research Refuge. The release went well; she
flew straight and true with good lift upon release. The
park is over 7,000 acres on the river and will make a
spectacular home for her.
Independence Day too soon for two baby Osprey
Animal emergencies don’t
take a holiday. July 4, 2007 brought “Independence Day”
early for two 5-week old baby osprey who found
themselves floating down Middle River in their nest,
sans parent. Fortunately, a compassionate boater was
able to fish them from the water unharmed. The boater
notified the MD Department of Natural Resources, which
referred the boater to Wildlife Rescue. Volunteer Gail
Rice retrieved them and brought them to our facility,
where our President, Executive Director, and Wildlife
Rehabilitator Gerda Deterer examined them. A thorough
examination found them slightly underweight but free of
abrasions and broken bones, and with good leg
movement-overall in good shape, but in need of foster
parents. Volunteer Liz Smith turned to Greg Kearns, “The
Osprey Man”, a naturalist and researcher at Patuxent
River Park in Southern Prince George’s County. Mr.
Kearns has been working with osprey for over 20 years,
and has successfully placed orphaned/abandoned baby
osprey in foster nests. Liz brought them to Greg, and
the lucky babies were placed in separate nests on the Patuxent River. Momma Osprey for both nests later
brought food to their adopted babies soon after the
babies were dropped off at the nest and monitored from
afar. Before release, the ospreys were banded to enable
Greg to monitor their progress. A week after location,
both osprey had grown and were very healthy.
