Rehabilitated Eagles Released

Pennsylvania Game Commission officials on Wednesday proudly released two rehabilitated bald eagles at the Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area, State Game Land 213, in Crawford County, under the watchful eye of individuals from the Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, who were responsible for caring for these majestic birds.

On April 16, 2011, an injured female bald eagle was captured near Union City by Erie County WCO Larry Smith. The injuries included problems with a wing and some missing tail feathers. The bird was emaciated and dehydrated and had suffered pellet wounds from a gunshot. Persistent infections resulted in a lengthy healing period. This mature bird was originally banded as a nestling near Vernon, Ohio, on May 11, 1992, making it 20 years old, and was an established breeder at the Union City dam nest for many years.

The second eagle, an immature female, also was picked up by WCO Smith, on July 17, 2011, from the Six Mile Creek area east of Erie. The bird is believed to have suffered from West Nile Virus, which caused its feathers to become deformed during development. As a result, this young bird could not fly. The rehabilitation effort involved waiting for all feathers to be naturally replaced during the molting process, and the new feathers came in normally.

These national symbols were cared for at the Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Crawford County.

“Tamarack is an excellent facility that we have worked with on numerous occasions, and they have proven themselves to be especially skilled when dealing with raptors including bald eagles,” said Keith Harbaugh, Game Commission Northwest Region director. “Sue DeArmont and her team at Tamarack are to be commended for their caring and compassionate work rehabilitating these eagles. We would not be here today to return these birds back to the wild if it were not for their investment of time, skill, energy, and money.” Harbaugh noted that Tamarack, as well as other Pennsylvania licensed wildlife rehabilitation facilities, do their work to benefit Pennsylvania’s wildlife without any direct funding from taxpayers.

Pymatuning was selected as the release site due to its abundant eagle habitat. The mature female eagle was not returned to the Union City area, because her mate successfully paired up with another eagle during her rehabilitation.

Game Commission photo

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