FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – After recovering from injuries at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke, a bald eagle will be released back into the skies Tuesday, October 14 at 1 p.m.
Franklin County bald eagle(Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke)
The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke took in the eagle September 5 after it was injured in a territorial fight with two younger eagles in Rocky Mount. The eagle was exhausted, battered, and so weak, it could barely lift its head inside the cardboard box it was transported in, according to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke.
The eagle began to regain its strength after a few days of rest and recovery, according to the Wildlife Center. After several days of intensive care, it stood tall once again, alert and powerful, ready to stretch its wings, according to the Wildlife Center. The Wildlife Center says it had subclinical levels of lead poisoning, something that is quite serious and all too common for bald eagles and other raptors.
When the time came for a test flight in a 50-foot flight pen, the eagle soared, which was a clear sign that its recovery was well underway, according to the Wildlife Center. However, eagles require a minimum 100-foot-long flight enclosure to rebuild the endurance and power they need for life back in the wild, according to the Wildlife Center.
The Wildlife Center of Virginia stepped in to provide the final stages of rehabilitation. After several weeks of flight conditioning and chelation to remove lead from its blood, the eagle was ready to return home.
The eagle will be released at Smith Mountain Lake Community Park.
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