Comanche, a 3 year old Bald Eagle was found October 16, 2004 by Mr. & Mrs. John Walls and family
of Speedway, WV suffering from gunshot injuries to the body and right
wing. His left wing was also broken from the fall to the ground. TRAC
Director Wendy Perrone picked the bird up from the Walls family and
with the assistance of volunteer Marko Jorden, administered the
emergency treatment and intake. The US Fish and Wildlife Service was
notified and an investigation was initiated as the shooting of an
American Bald Eagle is a federal crime.The following day Comanche was taken to Dr. Bill Streit (at right) at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic in Princeton for x-rays and final diagnosis. The fractures were severe and he was given no better than a 50/50 chance of ever flying again. It has been a long haul for this bird but he has finally made it.
The release of this bird represents a proud moment for those people who have supported this long and uncertain effort. Thank you all!.
All but the top photo of the release sequence at the left was taken by John Clemens. The origin of the photo showing the opening of the cage (the first) is unknown.
Resting
indoors. TRAC has 5 indoor rooms which serve as foul weather shelter
for our educational birds. But if the occasion arises, these rooms are
used to house rehabilitating wild birds who are healed up enough to be
out of intensive care, but not healed enough to where they should be
allowed to fly. These rooms have painted "woodsy" murals and multiple
perches to alleviate the visual monotony of being stuck between 4 walls and
a ceiling.From here , Comanche moved into a flight cage , but only after we were satified that his wings were healed to the point of handling the stress. of learning to fly all over again.
Below, Comanche is introduced to the flight cage where that will happen.
Here Comanche is seen exercising the 60 long cage built for Spirit, our
Golden Eagle. Both birds seemed to benefit psychologically from having
company and the space was essential for Comanche to regain flight strength.