FRANKLIN – Venango County Pennsylvania Game Commission officials released two rehabilitated bald eagles Aug. 2 in conjunction with individuals from Skye’s Spirit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Harrisville, Pa.
Bald Eagle reports
On Jan. 9, a downed, mature bald eagle was reported by John Struthers off Turner Station Road in Coolspring Township, Mercer County. Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers Terry McClelland and Tom Jones, along with Mr. Struthers, captured the bird and transported it to Skye’s Spirit Rehabilitation Center in Harrisville.
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The second bird, located on Airport Road, Venango County, was a 4-year-old bald eagle. Carol Wilson noticed the bird as she was driving on March 28. The impaired bird took flight, but ended up suspended upside down in a tree.
Retrieving bird
Wildlife Conservation Officers Ronda Bimber and Steve Ace, along with Maryjane Angelo from Skye’s Spirit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, retrieved the bird and transported it to Skye’s Spirit for evaluation and subsequent rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation took many months as the eagles needed to regain strength prior to their release.
“Skye’s Spirit is one of the few wildlife rehabilitation centers that is equipped and trained to handle bald eagles. We have worked with them on numerous occasions, and they have provided a great service in returning these majestic birds back to the wild” said Keith Harbaugh, Game Commission regional director.
Wildlife benefits
Harbaugh noted that Skye’s Spirit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, www.skyes-spirit.com, as well as other Pennsylvania licensed wildlife rehabilitation facilities, do their work to benefit Pennsylvania’s wildlife without any direct funding from taxpayers. Both birds were successfully released at the site of their capture.
