SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — During the Memorial Day holiday, a Schuylkill Haven wildlife rehabilitation center is caring for one of America’s iconic symbols — a bald eagle.
The ill eagle was found near Interstate 78 in Upper Bern Township, Berks County, according to Peggy Hentz, founder and rehabilitation instructor of Red Creek Wildlife Center Inc., 300 Moonhill Drive.
It was in a farmer’s field, but had been seen on the highway the day prior, Hentz said.
The state Game Commission brought the 4- to 5-year-old, male eagle to the Red Creek facility on May 21, and it’s continuing to receive medical attention.
“It was examined at Red Creek and given critical care for that weekend plus a blood test for lead. It received X-rays and further blood tests that Monday by Dr. Len Donato at Radnor Veterinary Hospital in Wayne, Pennsylvania,” Hentz said.
The bird had a borderline high level of lead toxicity, she said. It also was hit by a vehicle. The eagle has a non-fracture spinal trauma near its pelvis and injury to its liver. It also has extensive feather damage to the wings and tail, according to Hentz.
“It has received treatment for the lead. We are now working on helping it recover from its injuries. We believe the bird was scavenging for roadkill because of its decreased health from the lead poisoning, resulting in a vehicle accident.”
The injured bird is currently being fed mice, which is not a typical diet for an eagle, Hentz said.
“This bird is having difficulty using its feet. His medications are injected into the mice and then swallowed whole. He is eating well,” she said.
Eagle populations have increased greatly in the past decade, according to Hentz. May and June are the peak of their nesting season, and people will continue to see more eagles year-round because of their successful population recovery, she said.
Although this one male bald eagle is currently Red Creek’s only eagle patient, the center on Saturday just received a peregrine falcon fledgling from Harrisburg.
Greg Nason and Kat Hummel, employees of Red Creek, have also received their rehab licensing with the state Game Commission and now head up the center’s rehab program. Hentz works mostly on the critical cases and the threatened and endangered species. She also heads up the center’s rehabilitation training program, helping others become rehabilitators in Pennsylvania.