Eagles of Idaho
A project of Birds of Prey Northwest in conjunction with the partners and sponsors detailed below.
Subscribe to receive daily project updates
| Name | Species | Life Stage | Release Date | Last Location | Days Transmitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke | Bald Eagle | Sub-Adult | 2009-07-01 | 2009-08-02 | 32 |
| Halie | Bald Eagle | Sub-Adult | 2009-07-01 | 2011-03-15 | 622 |
| Tennessee | Golden Eagle | Sub-Adult | 2010-06-25 | 2012-05-30 | 705 |
Click on an animal's name for maps and more information.
Introduction
|
Birds of Prey Northwest, a non-profit raptor rehabilitation, education, and research center, is releasing 2 Bald Eagles and 2 Golden Eagles back into the wilds of Idaho in 2009-2010. The eagles each have a unique story of how they were rescued, rehabilitated, and later released to the wild.
In 2008, two starving nestling Bald Eagles were found in their nest which had fallen and was floating in flood waters. Wildlife officials intervened and brought the orphaned eagles to the Birds of Prey Northwest facility where they were given to a ‘foster mom’ – an adult female Bald Eagle. These two eagles, named Halie and Luke after the species scientific name Haliaeetus leucocephalus, were released in July 2009.
The two Golden Eagles will be released in the summer of 2010. The first juvenile Golden Eagle, a male, originated from a captive bred pair in Tennessee. At BOPNW, Tennessee underwent the rigors of flight conditioning and live-prey hunting in preparation for release. The other Golden Eagle, a young female, was found at the bottom of a cliff, starving, in shock and with internal injuries.
Prior to release the eagles are exercised with falconry techniques by Bird of Prey Northwest’s Master Falconer to build up the necessary muscles to sustain flight. The eagles are banded with federal leg bands to identify the birds and fitted with satellite transmitters using a backpack harness. The satellite transmitter allows researchers at Birds of Prey Northwest to monitor their movements and ensure they can survive successfully on their own.
Established in 1993, Birds of Prey Northwest promotes stewardship and conservation of raptors through educational programs with live birds of prey. We provide medical treatment and rehabilitation to injured birds of prey with the ultimate goal of returning them to the wild. The organization also collaborates with others on raptor research projects. Visit us at http://www.birdsofpreynorthwest.org/
Project Sponsors
Sylvan Creek Foundation, Sandra and Russell Ford, South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, and Janie Fink contributed financially to this rehabilitation and tracking project.
We would also like to thank the following individuals:
J. Roscoe DVM, K. Rogers DVM, T. Teyler, R. Weaver, E. Galleck, B. Linde, P. Cantwell, The entire Fowler Family, L. Mojica, Y. Rosales, C.G. Thomas, V. Thomas, D. Rassmussen, Idaho Fish and Game Officer McKarley, T.T. Hall, M. Bechard, W. Melquist, D. Varland, K. Davis, The Chapmans, The Joedickers, The Bissons.
