Miss.: Reward for details about Bald Eagle shooting

From the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has posted a reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for shooting a bald eagle during the last week of March (possibly March 25, 26 or 27) in Pearlington, Mississippi, about 40 miles northeast of New Orleans.


The shooting may have occurred while the eagle was perched in a tree. Passersby found the wounded eagle and took it to the Pet Haven Veterinary Hospital [in Bay St. Louis] for surgery. If the eagle recovers, it will be released back into the wild.


Shooting an eagle is a violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act allows for a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to a conviction.

Any information on this incident should be provided to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Ben Bryant at 985-882-3756 or the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks at 800-Be-Smart (237-6278).

Bald Eagle release today in Texas

In Texas' Shelby County, a Bald Eagle will regain its freedom today near Lake Timpson. After nearly six months of recovery and rehabilitation, the raptor will leave Last Chance Forever Bird Conservancy in San Antonio, where it regained its health after being shot in September 2009.


Authorities continue to offer a $2,500 reward for information that will lead to an arrest in the shooting. Although no longer on the federal Endangered Species List, Bald Eagles remain federally protected. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department game wardens are working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the criminal investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call USFW: 281-876-1520.

Rough weather, prey shortage likely caused pelican crisis

Scientists say natural cyclical events appear to have caused the recent influx of stranded Brown Pelicans on the California and Oregon coasts. An investigation by scientists from the California Department of Fish & Game, the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, Sea World San Diego and International Bird Rescue Research Center did not indicate that manmade actions created the crisis.

From the California Department of Fish & Game:

"Working collaboratively with other organizations, we have been able to quickly examine multiple causes for the stranding event, said DFG Wildlife Veterinarian Melissa Miller in Santa Cruz. "Unfortunately, we are looking primarily at a cyclical event driven largely by weather and oceanographic conditions. Food shortage coupled with bad weather have taken a toll on the pelicans."

Mass-stranding of brown pelicans was reported along the California and Oregon coast about this time in 2009, again with widespread food shortages identified as a factor. Some stranded birds have little or no body fat stores and atypical foods in their digestive tracts. Shortages of preferred prey items could be caused in part by the current El Nino event.

Some pelicans have also had waterproofing problems with their feathers, possibly related to storm runoff from recent heavy coastal rains. Preliminary findings from postmortem examinations suggest that infectious disease and/or marine toxins are not major contributors to this event.

Pelicans at wildlife rehabilitation centers have responded well to care efforts. Anyone who finds a stranded or dead pelican should not approach or handle it but report its location to 800-39-WHALE in Los Angeles County or 866-WILD-911 elsewhere.

Grow Wildlife Hospital

Grow Wildlife Inc. recently announced that its plans to build Georgia's first specialized wildlife veterinary hospital gained momentum through a partnership with Southern Regional Health System in Atlanta. SRHS will donate expired medical supplies and equipment for the future wildlife hospital.

"We are extremely grateful to the staff at Southern Regional for this tremendous contribution to our wildlife hospital project," said Brenda Hudlow, GROW executive director. "While medical equipment and supplies have expiration dates for human healthcare due to healthcare regulations, they are still suitable for wildlife care. I'm thrilled Southern Regional recognizes this important need by its generous donation."

The equipment will range from anesthesia and ECG monitors to x-ray and ultrasound machines. Supplies will include syringes, bandages, pharmaceuticals and surgical tools.

GROW Wildlife began a campaign to raise $3.5 million to build the first specialized wildlife veterinary hospital in the nation and designed by veterinary professionals. The nonprofit corporation hopes to erect an 11,000-square-foot facility in south Fulton County.

"People often ask me why we can't locate the hospital in an existing structure," Hudlow said. "Adapting a building to the specific needs of native wildlife care is as expensive or costs much more. Separate holding areas for raptors, reptiles and both large and small mammals alone dictate a facility especially designed to accommodate them until they are healthy enough to be distributed to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator that will prepare them for release into their natural environment."