- [In August] we got in a baby eagle (this years chick) that suffered from West Nile Virus. Well, she/he is not such a baby anymore! At first we didn't' think she would make it and were concerned that she had lead poisoning. But it was just as bad being diagnosed with West Nile Virus. The bird could not stand up which is seen with lead and West Nile Virus. Many birds do not recover from either one. However, she has recovered from the viral infection, has gained weight, and is flying quite well. When she arrived his PCV was 8%. It should be around 40%. His blood values are now normal! Whoo Hooo!
He/she is doing well and eating everything in sight . . . sort of like a teenage girl with a hollow leg! Well, you could say that she is a teenage bird with a hollow leg. With the help of the Game Commission officer that found her and brought her to CWC, we will be releasing her back with her family. She is still a youngster that needs support from her parents . . just like teenagers do. Hopefully within a week the family will be reunited.
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Xena's head was kept covered to help keep her calm.
From State College, we drove north into the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania region. There we met the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) officers who had first rescued Xena back in August.
We had a cheerful conversation - there is much happiness in being able to return an eagle to the wild - before getting to the serious business of having the release.
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Robyn positioned the crate in which Xena was carried so that the door pointed toward the lip of a low slope before the creek.
As soon as Robyn opened the crate, Xena was out and running.
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Xena had a short flight to the plain below, and she looked back at us.
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Soon afterward, Xena flew to the creek and out of sight.
A DCNR officer went down the slope and then indicated I should follow, and I saw Xena by the large rocks at the border of the creek.
I'd say that Xena was enjoying her freedom, a true warrior-princess.
