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Center gives 'ratty' bird a second chance to soar Eagle rescued at King George Landfill is rehabilitated, released
By RUSTY DENNEN Next to a grove of pines in Caledon Natural Area, six bald eagles scattered as Ed Clark's Toyota pickup pulled up yesterday afternoon. The resident eagles at the King George County nature preserve along the Potomac River were about to have company. Clark, president of the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro, opened the back window of his truck--license plate 4D BIRDS--to reach a large cage containing a year-old bald eagle. The mottled brown and white bird of prey was being released back into the wild after an unfortunate accident earlier this month, followed by several weeks of medical care and rehabilitation in Waynesboro. Clark reached into the cage with thick, elbow-length gray gloves, gingerly pulling out the bird. On a count of three, Clark released the eagle, which flew toward some other airborne eagles, then landed in a tree on the edge of a grove of hardwoods. When it came in for treatment, "That was about as ratty a bird as we've seen," Clark said. It was found at the King George Landfill on April 13, with asphalt caked to its feet and abdomen. Jeff Cooper, a non-game biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, caught the bird and brought it to the wildlife center where Clark said veterinarians worked for hours to remove the sticky, black coating. Vets tried Goo Gone and several commercial solvents before settling on vegetable oil, detergent and lots of elbow grease. Some feathers along the bird's breast were removed, leaving a temporary coating of fuzz before they grow back. Landfills attract lots of animals, including eagles, which are known to scrounge for a snack. "He was probably scavenging," Clark said, getting stuck after eating something toxic. It's not clear how the bird wound up in asphalt. A blood test showed "there were very strong indicators of pesticide poisoning" in its system, Clark said. The bird was given fluids, pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs. After a few days it was moved to a small, outdoor pen, then a larger exercise pen. Clark said the center's medical staff decided yesterday that the bird should be released as soon as possible. Caledon was chosen because it's near where the eagle probably lives.
Date published: 4/30/2009
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