Milwaukee – The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is caring for a Bald Eagle who is suffering from lead poisoning, and currently in critical condition.
After returning home from a World Series watch party last week, one Milwaukeean was stunned to see a Bald Eagle hopping through his neighbor’s yard. The chance encounter went from remarkable to concerning when he saw the same eagle still grounded the following day, so he called the WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for help. Two licensed rehabilitators were able to go safely retrieve the bird and perform a thorough exam back at WHS. The eagle’s open beak as he gasped for air was a clear sign of respiratory distress. His lead test results were so high that the machine couldn’t even display a number. This poor bird was suffering from severe lead poisoning.
X-rays have shown 2-3 very tiny metallic pieces in his stomach, indicating he consumed fragments of a man-made object; due to their highly concentrated digestive acid, even a miniscule amount of lead is quickly dissolved and absorbed directly into an eagle’s blood stream. Although WHS staff can’t precisely identify the metallic pieces, fishing tackle and ammunition are among the likely culprits, which raptors and other animals may accidentally ingest. It’s a good reminder that leaving spent ammunition or tackle in the environment can have unintended and devasting consequences for wild animals.
Staff are seeing some promising signs of improvement over the last few days — the patient’s breathing has improved; he is slowly getting stronger and more alert than when he arrived; and he is starting to eat solid food. While he is still in critical condition, the wildlife team has been providing extensive, specialized care, doing everything in their power to give him a fighting chance at survival.
“We’re especially grateful to the team from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine program who came to evaluate and provide care for the eagle,” said Alyssa Baumann, wildlife rehabilitator. “It’s far too early to tell how he’ll do, and his prognosis is heavily guarded, but we’re doing all we can in hopes of a recovery.”
The Wisconsin Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is Milwaukee County’s only licensed facility to care for injured and orphaned native wild animals. They do not receive any government funding and rely on the support of the community to fund their life-saving work. To make a contribution to the Bald Eagle’s medical care, please visit https://www.wihumane.org/donate/ or call 414-431-6119.