Eagles rehabbed, released in North Idaho
CHLOE COCHRAN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 2 weeks AGO
SAGLE — Two bald eagles took flight Tuesday after spending several months rehabilitating at a local raptor rehabilitation center.
The eagles released in Sagle were just two of many that Birds of Prey Northwest has helped rehabilitate over its 32 years of operation.
The adult eagle was admitted to the center April 20 after suffering from a wing fracture.
Through the use of a 120-foot flight run and reconditioning, the adult was able to heal and regain its strength, said Jane Veltkamp, Birds of Prey Northwest owner.
"That is the magic potion to get a bird with a broken wing back to fully flighted," she said.
The juvenile eagle, about 12 weeks old, was one of about 10 admitted into the center during the summer. Veltkamp said the heat and high temperatures led the juveniles to jump from their nests before they were capable of flying.
On Wednesday, the nonprofit released the remaining three young bald eagles from its raptor facility. One of them came in with three lure hooks stuck to its mouth, shoulder and wing that required surgery to remove.
"It was unbelievable," Veltkamp said, adding the eagle was starved and underweight. "He's going back to the wild."
Birds of Prey rehabilitation center is located near St. Maries, where volunteers and core staff can attend and care for birds, giving them the proper medical treatment needed to return to their natural habitat.
It relies on donations to continue its work.
At one point this summer, Birds of Prey Northwest was working with 10 eagles, five hawks and eight osprey and going through about 30 pounds of fish each day.
"It really stretched our budget," Veltkamp said.
It has about a dozen bird residents, some permanent and waiting to be placed with other facilities.
Its mission is to educate the public about raptors through live presentations and to provide medical treatment to sick, injured and orphaned birds of prey, with the goal of returning them to the wild.
Birds of Prey encourages the public to call 208-245-1367 if they see any raptors on the ground.
Victoria Barnes and Don Veltkamp hold two bald eagles that were rehabbed by Birds of Prey Northwest and released in Sagle on Tuesday.ARTICLES BY CHLOE COCHRAN
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