PH - Skye & Spirit's Ordeal - From Attack to Rescue

Terror struck the Pelican Harbor bald eagle nest on Santa Cruz Island as a sub-adult bald eagle attacked the two 7-week-old chicks. Whether it was trying to carry them off or just knock them off, we're not sure, but both chicks were drug off the nest by this juvenile eagle. The youngest chick (Spirit) was grabbed by it's beak and dragged off. The IWS team on Santa Cruz Island was immediately notified by faithful nestcam-watchers. The IWS team hiked the treacherous hike out to the nest in record time to see what could be done. Before they got there, the older eaglet, Skye, was grabbed by the wing and dragged off. Both eaglets were found - one with a slightly broken bill and the other with a broken wing - otherwise healthy. They have been taken to a vet in Orange County. Spirit's beak is expected to heal quickly. The wound is deep and the main concern is infection. Skye is having surgery for it's broken wing May 22nd. The vet is optimistic about it's recovery. Both eaglets should be placed in a hacking tower on Santa Cruz Island within a couple months. Pictures and details of both chicks injuries and their recovery can be found here: http://z7.invisionfree.com/CHIL_EagleCAM/index.php?showtopic=2583

These eaglets are part of the ongoing restoration project by IWS. You can read about the struggle to reintroduce America's symbol, the Bald Eagle, to the Channel Islands as well as watch this miracle of nature via live eagle-cam by going to http://www.iws.org and clicking first on 'interactive' and then choosing one of the nests to view on Catalina Island and Santa Cruz Island or go to: http://z7.invisionfree.com/CHIL_EagleCAM/index.php?act=idx

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• bald_eagle
• eagle
• birds
• nests
• K10
• K26
• chicks
• eaglets
• wildlife
• attack
• rescue

[HulaBunee]

In the latest update (10/7/09) from the IWS crew, Spirit is still thriving and soaring over Santa Cruz Island. His big sister, Cruz (the first bald eaglet to hatch on the Channel Islands in over 50 years without human help) is flying between Santa Rosa & Santa Cruz. She is now approaching breeding age, so hopefully, she will find a mate and settle down soon.

[kenponjon]

WOW !!! Just took a look at the photos on the URLink provided up above.

The Eagle Cam does 'not' do their size justice whatsoever. Seven weeks and they're huge! Yup, guess they would eat a lot of fish and anything else that was brought in.

Do appreciate this followup; guess they weren't returned to their parents.

[HulaBunee]

By the time they were healed, their parents had moved on for the year, so they were both placed in a hacking tower on the island....at different times since Spirit's injuries healed sooner than Skye's. Both fledged successfully. Spirit is still flying freely about the island and socializing with other young eagles. Skye's body was found about a month after he fledged floating in a giant kelp bed....a sad end to a courageous eagle.

[luvegthyssmusic]

What is scary is did this crazy eagle attack any other nests that weren't caught on camera.Make's you wonder

[HulaBunee]

We have to be careful not to put human values on these wild creatures. What seems crazy to us, may be normal for them. Eagles are aggresive by natue. They have to be for their survival. With the popularity of nest cams, hopefully we'll be able to answer that question.

[birdlady423]

AN AMAZING STORY! THANKS FOR HELPING THE EAGLES!

BLESSINGS!

Linda K

[WahdaMae]

Wow.......

[Aline5033]

Thank you. We can't blame the parents. Dad (K-10) was seen by the Rescue 911 crew members chasing the intruder. When Mom (K-26)came back with a prey a bit later, damaged was already done.

Thank you to the rescue team for work well done, to the vet, rehab centre and all concerned in salvaging those two dear eaglets, All the best of luck for the rest of their lives.

[eevee1997]

The adult my also be attacking them becasue he/she is hungry. It is true that some eagles my eat other eageles to survive. The IWS team must be truly thankful for whoever called in!

[Proddave]

The camera only points at the nest. Thank goodness the microphone hears everywehre.

MIB