Submitted by Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
After several months of receiving care at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Friday Harbor, two juvenile bald eagles have a second chance at life in the wild. With a small group of onlookers attending, Wolf Hollow staff and volunteers released the pair on Dec. 29 at Rasar State Park near Concrete, Washington.
The eagles – one male and one female – were transported to Wolf Hollow separately this past summer. Just weeks old at the time, the first eagle was found near Coupeville suffering from a leg injury and unable to fly. She was transported by a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officer to Pet Emergency Center in Mt. Vernon and subsequently to Wolf Hollow for rehabilitation.
The second eagle, found sitting on the ground near Valley Highway in Bellingham, was first taken to the Whatcom County Humane Society Wildlife Division. The staff there found no injuries, but the eagle was emaciated, dehydrated and weak. He had damaged feathers from being down on the ground so long. After three weeks of care in Whatcom County, the eagle was strong enough to be transferred to Wolf Hollow for longer-term care and flight training.
In the weeks leading up to their release date, Wolf Hollow staff coordinated closely with state park rangers near the Skagit River. The timing of the release and the location at Rasar State Park were chosen to coincide with the gathering of eagles on the upper Skagit River to feed on spawned–out salmon carcasses. This provides the young eagles with an abundant source of available food and an easier transition to life in the wild.
It only took a few moments for the eagles to emerge from the transport carriers and fly swiftly away to enjoy their newfound freedom.
“These two youngsters are ready. It’s great to see them fly off and start a new life,” said animal care volunteer and Wolf Hollow board member Susan Waters, who was on hand to assist with the release.
Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is a non-profit organization on San Juan Island. Its mission is to promote the well-being of wildlife and their habitats through rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife, public education and non-invasive research. Over 16,000 animals from San Juan, Skagit and Island Counties have received care from Wolf Hollow’s staff since it was opened in 1982. To learn more about the organization, visit wolfhollowwildlife.org.
