×

Released into the Wild

Bald eagle recovers from lead poisoning

Photos courtesy of Sgt. J.T. Craig of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. A bald eagle is shown after being released to the Upper Shavers Fork area of Randolph County Monday.

SHAVERS FORK — A bald eagle was released back into the wild in Randolph County Monday after being nursed back to health from lead poisoning, officials said.

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources police officers, with the assistance Jo Santiago and Dylan Lewis with the U.S Forest Service International Programs, were able to successfully release a bald eagle that was found suffering from lead toxicity in Pocahontas County in January.

The adult eagle was treated and banded at the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia in Morgantown, and returned to the Upper Shavers Fork area of Randolph County for release on Monday.

Lead toxicity occurs when eagles ingest lead, most likely while scavenging carcasses of other wildlife, a DNR press release stated. When ingested, lead has detrimental effects on the nervous and reproductive systems of eagles. Eagles with lead poisoning may exhibit the loss of balance, gasping, tremors and impaired ability to fly. Emaciation follows and death can occur within two to three weeks after lead ingestion.

This bald eagle was located with the assistance of observant land owners who found the eagle having an impaired ability to fly on their property, the release stated. Sgt. J.T. Craig and Officer R.E. Hebb were able to capture the bird and take it for treatment.

The eagle was not the first bird that Santiago has released. Santiago has been volunteering and working with rehabilitating birds for more than 30 years.

A longtime resident of Randolph County, Santiago has released owls, eagles, falcons and hawks back into the area after their recovery.

Santiago recommends that anyone who finds an injured bird call the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia’s injured bird hotline at 304-906-5438. From there, their network of volunteers throughout the area will help transport and deliver the bird to the organization in order to start its recovery.

Until help arrives for the bird, Santiago recommends that the individual who found the bird remain with the animal. If the person would leave the bird at this time, Santiago said the bird might try to hide or seek cover, making it difficult to find the bird again when help arrives.

Individuals can also try to place the bird in a box by wearing heavy gloves and eye protection of some kind.

Before they pick up the bird, individuals can try to cover the bird’s eyes with an old towel or a sheet, in order to calm the bird. From there, the rescuer should wrap the bird and grab the legs, in order to not be scratched or injured by the talons.

The bird should then be kept in a quiet location, away from multiple people, until help arrives.

With intervention of this type, injured birds of prey can be saved and be released back into their habitats.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $3.92/week.

Subscribe Today