PASS CHRISTIAN, Miss. (WLOX) – Two bald eagles rescued on Christmas Day and brought to Wild at Heart had vastly different outcomes in their recovery journeys.
The eagles, named Kris and Kringle, were both rescued within one hour of each other on Christmas Day. Kris, the female, is expected to make a full recovery. However, Kringle, the male, had to be euthanized.
Kringle’s condition deteriorates
After X-rays, veterinarians determined Kringle had likely suffered a previous injury that forced him to rely on roadkill for food. The lack of proper nutrition caused his bones to weaken over time.
“I’m thinking it got rear ended by some car because it was eating roadkill. It had a fractured back and spine at about the lumbar region. After the days and weeks they’ve been doing rehab on it, it just didn’t improve and it was not going to make it any better,” said Dr. James Askew, Wild at Heart veterinarian.
Kringle’s spine was broken in three places and had deteriorated almost completely.
“He couldn’t really move. He was just stationary and it just wasn’t a good thing, it was kind of heartbreaking,” said Melissa Cole, Kringle’s caretaker.
Missy Dubuisson, Wild at Heart founder and director, said she has witnessed eagles passing away in a way that reflects their proud nature.
“I have actually witnessed when an eagle is going to pass away, the saddest thing ever, they literally will pass away standing up and then they just fall over later. They are that, that proud. And it’s no wonder they’re the symbol of, you know, freedom,” Dubuisson said.
Kris shows promise for recovery
Kris is recovering and may be released back into the wild.
“She’s recovering and hopefully can be released,” said Jennifer Wingate, Kris’s caretaker. “That’s what he said. He said once we get her another dewormer and a little bit more weight on her, we’ll get her going,” Dubuisson added.
Kris’s next step is the eagle flight cage, where she will relearn how to fly and rebuild her wing strength before being released back into the wild.
“Getting them back out is truly a triumph,” Dubuisson said.
Wild at Heart says they will notify the public when Kris is ready for release.
Bald eagles eat about two pounds of meat a day. Wild at Heart is currently accepting monetary donations, as well as deer organs, discarded game parts, fish, and other meat to help care for injured wildlife.
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