A young eagle soared high in Eufaula, Alabama, Saturday as the Southeastern Raptor Center released a young, healthy eagle that has been in their care since February.
"The patient’s nest had fallen and the Alabama Department of Natural Resources and Conservation determined that there was not a suitable site for renesting," said Dr. Seth Oster from the Southeastern Raptor Center. "The patient was brought by them to us so it could be raised in our care until it was old enough to provide for itself."
The eagle was initially found in Eufaula, Alabama, which is why it was released there.
"Once the patient had demonstrated adequate flight ability and behaviors, I contacted the Alabama Department of Natural Resources and Conservation," Oster said. "They determine what sites to use for releases in the state of Alabama. In this case, they choose the site that the eagle was found."
After 104 days in rehabilitation at the Southeastern Raptor Center, the eagle appeared ready to be released.
"The patient is being released as it is now fully grown and has demonstrated adequate flight ability to survive in the wild," Oster said. "It has been housed with other eagles since shortly after it’s admission here to learn natural behaviors."
After a final physical exam, Rachel Hamby, a senior volunteer at the Southeastern Raptor Center released the eagle.
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