Bald
Eagle released Saturday May 21, 2005
Time 4:30 PM at Pipestem State Park 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 (LOWER 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 (LOWER LEFT) were taken by John Clemens. The origin of the photo showing the opening of the cage (the first) is unknown. Notice that the bird was alreading forcing his way out the door. |
|
(ABOVE) 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 (BELOW) , 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. |
|
Over 200 people attended the release of
this bird. |
|
(BELOW) 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. |
|