Recent ReleasesĮleven eastern cottontails, a gopher tortoise, an anhinga, a laughing gull, a gray catbird, a herring gull, a mourning dove, a ring-billed gull and a brown pelican were released this past week. Details are crucial since every situation is so different. Hospital staff will be able to determine the appropriate course of action.
If you see an animal you believe is injured, sick or orphaned, please call the hospital and continue to monitor the situation. They will be moved to a large recovery enclosure outdoors as soon as they are more actively moving about. Both birds are eating well and recovering in the bird room at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital. One eaglet continued to show signs of distress when handled so hospital staff kept handling to a minimum. The following morning, the two young eagles were alert and responsive. Since it was late in the evening, the eaglets were settled into a large enclosure in the bird room at the hospital to rest.
One eaglet had increased respiratory effort compared to its sibling. Both were in good body condition and both had pale mucous membranes. The eaglets were extremely stressed when admitted, yet no external injuries were noted. Officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission brought the two eaglets to the Conservancy for care. Reports are conflicting as to exactly what happened - either the subadult kicked the babies out of the nest or the two eaglets jumped when the subadult landed at the nest and went after the food.Įither way, the eaglets ended up on the ground.
A problem occurred when a subadult eagle went after some food the female had brought to the nest for her two babies. The female had successfully protected her eaglets from several “intruder” eagles that had visited the property where her nest is located.