MEDIA ALERT: Lindsay Wildlife Experience Treating Golden Eagle That Was Shot
SF Premiere Pioneering Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and State Fish & Wildlife officials seeking information on eagle suffering from gunshot wound
WALNUT CREEK, Calif., August 29, 2018—Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital is treating a Golden Eagle that was found in Pittsburg, Calif., on August 21, with a broken right wing.
At Lindsay, radiographs revealed the eagle’s injury and veterinarian staff at the Walnut Creek-based hospital were horrified to find the bird had been shot and a pellet lodged in the wing.
“We knew right away that the damage to the wing was severe, but we were initially thinking she had been hit by a car,” said Lindsay Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Allison Daugherty. “I think we were all shocked to find the pellet on the radiographs. It is hard enough to see a beautiful bird like this injured by an accident, realizing that someone may have done this deliberately makes it even worse.”
The eagle had to have surgery to repair the wing. Dr. Doug Bell, biologist and golden eagle researcher, came to Lindsay to estimate age and do measurements on the bird. At about 6.5-pounds, the eagle is estimated to be a small female and an adult. She is at least six-years-old, but could be much older, according to Bell.
The California Department of Fish & Wildlife is investigating the eagle shooting. Because of the injury, the eagle could not have gotten very far after being shot, according to officials with CA Fish and Wildlife.
Anyone who has any information or may have seen something suspicious in Pittsburg around August 21, 2018, is encouraged to call 1 (888) 334-CALTIP (888-334-2258). This toll-free hotline is staffed 24 hours a day and is a confidential, secret witness program that encourages the public to provide Fish and Wildlife with factual information leading to the arrest of poachers and polluters.
As for the eagle’s future, the damage to the wing is serious, according to Daugherty. The eagle will continue to receive care and medication, and undergo testing while at Lindsay.
“It may be weeks or even months beforewe know for sure if she will be able to fly well enough to survive in the wild,” said Daugherty.
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About Lindsay Wildlife Experience:
Lindsay connects people with wildlife to inspire responsibility and respect for the world we share. It is a unique natural history and environmental education center where wild live animals are just inches away from visitors. It serves more than 100,000 children and adults and treats more than 5,600 animals each year at the first wildlife rehabilitation hospital established in the U.S.
Visiting Lindsay Wildlife Experience
1931 First Ave, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
925-935-1978
