800th Bald Eagle Released from Audubon Center for Birds of Prey

On Friday, November 21, the Audubon Middle for Birds of Prey launched the 800^th rehabilitated Bald Eagle into the wild because the Middle opened in 1979. Florida Home Consultant Jennifer Canady (District 50) was chosen to hold and launch the chicken at a ceremony on non-public property in Sorrento, positioned in Lake County.

The eagle, affected person #2025-701, arrived on the Raptor Trauma Clinic from Seminole County on October 11, having sustained accidents in a territory combat with one other eagle: comfortable tissue wounds on the left wing, abrasions on the toes, and bruising on the chest. The chicken additionally examined optimistic for lead poisoning, a standard explanation for sickness in Bald Eagles and different raptors that happens when the chicken is uncovered to lead-contaminated wastewater or eats a carcass of an animal shot with lead bullets. Up to now this yr, the Middle for Birds of Prey has launched 30 Bald Eagles again to the wild. The milestone 800^th Bald Eagle comes lower than three years after the Middle celebrated its 700^th Bald Eagle launch in January 2023.

“Eagles are symbols of resilience and restoration. To have the ability to launch the 800th rehabilitated Bald Eagle into the wild is a major conservation achievement,” says Katie Warner, Director of the Audubon Middle for Birds of Prey. “Like individuals, these birds rely on locations with clear water and wholesome ecosystems to name dwelling. Audubon, by conservation actions, advocacy, rehabilitation, and training contributes to defending the locations these birds want,” she provides.

Bald Eagles have been faraway from the federal checklist of Threatened and Endangered Species in 2007. Although they continue to be protected by each state and federal legal guidelines, they nonetheless face threats to their survival. Frequent threats embrace habitat and nest destruction, collision with automobiles, poisoning, and territory fights. Moreover, with lack of habitat attributable to continued land improvement, many eagles are selecting to nest on man-made buildings corresponding to energy traces and communication towers. These non-natural nest websites can current hazards to the younger eaglets after they fledge.

Many injured eagles that arrive on the Raptor Trauma Clinic are discovered by volunteers with Audubon EagleWatch, a neighborhood science program based mostly on the Middle. Greater than 700 EagleWatch volunteers monitor 1,300+ Bald Eagle nests in 53 counties annually. Although the aim of this system is to observe Bald Eagle breeding outcomes every nesting season, EagleWatch volunteers are sometimes additionally the primary line of protection in defending nests and eagles from disturbances and rescuing these which might be injured or sick.

In its 33-year historical past, EagleWatch information and observations have prompted extra nest protections from each federal and state wildlife companies. As soon as on the point of extinction, Florida’s eagle inhabitants has made a tremendous restoration and is now thought of secure, with roughly 2,500 nesting pairs.

The Middle’s Raptor Trauma Clinic has handled 770 raptors to this point this yr, together with eagles, hawks, and owls. Those who survive are both launched the place they have been discovered or positioned at zoos and different correctly licensed services nationwide. The Middle can also be dwelling to greater than 30 ambassador raptors. It’s at present closed for the development of a brand-new aviary to deal with three species of owl. It’s anticipated to reopen to the general public in February 2026. The Middle’s Raptor Trauma Clinic stays open and is accepting sufferers.