Bald Eagle Intake/Release: Lake Umbagag Eagle Flies Again!

In October, 2004, a man who was hunting near Umbagog Lake in New Hampshire's north woods found an injured bald eagle. The eagle was initially transported to Avian Haven in Freedom, Maine where rehabilitators Marc Payne and Diane Winn began treatment. Although x-rays revealed no obvious breaks, the bird would not fly, and it was eventually transferred to the Wildlife Clinic of the Tufts University Veterinary School.

After extensive examination failed to reveal the source of injury, Dr. Mark Pokras of the Wildlife Clinic, and Charlie Todd, an Eagle Biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, transferred the bird to the Center for Wildlife to enable it to rest and recover. After about three days at the Center the eagle began to fly, and he was soon moved to a 100 foot flight enclosure which was specially designed to help eagles and other large raptors regain their flight skills and strength.

After several weeks of care at the Center, the eagle was ready to return to Umbagog Lake. It was deemed likely that the eagle was one that the state of New Hampshire and Audubon Society of New Hampshire had been monitoring in that area. Before releasing the eagle, Chris Martin of NH Audubon placed two U.S. Fish and Wildlife aluminum leg bands on the eagle to facilitate its future identification.

"The network and team approach amongst rehabilitators and cooperating vets is ‘heaven sent’ from my point of view,” said Charlie Todd reflecting on the level of partnership, dedication and cooperation it takes tosuccessfully rehabilitate wildlife and return them to the wild. “These wildlife rehabilitators (Avian Haven and The Center for Wildlife) are top notch,” he said. “Dr. Mark Pokras at Tufts University is as good as it gets for a Wildlife Veterinarian,” says Todd, and “I would also like to give special acknowledgement to MDIFW Game Warden Steve Allarie for retrieving the bird from Umbagog Lake. Nothing is possible without such effort.”

We agree.

Photos by J.Hession and Chris Martin

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The Center tries to give much needed care but still allow the animals to be wild, with the intention of letting them go when they are ready to care for themselves. Too much "love" can result in a baby animal imprinting on the humans caring for it and that makes it difficult to release. If you find an animal that seems to be in need, keep an eye on it for while before you decide to take it in. Sometimes, Mom is right around the corner and will retrieve a baby in a short while. If you do decide to intervene, call the Center and get instructions on how to properly handle the animal or call the Animal Control officer in your town.