Recovered raptor flies free!

A beautiful bald eagle is free again after spending most of the summer recovering from illness. The Atlantic Veterinary College’s wildlife service released the mature bald eagle at the Brudenell Campground and Trail Rides in eastern PEI on Tuesday, September 29. The eagle was found in that area by horse trail guides on July 6, 2015. Unable to fly, the dehydrated, weak bird was brought to the wildlife service at AVC where it received critical care in the first weeks. Over the following weeks, it slowly started to gain strength and began eating on its own. The eagle was gradually moved to larger quarters in the hospital and was eventually able to fly short distances. It was then transferred to the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Nova Scotia, where it gained flight muscle strength in preparation for its release eight weeks after it was found. Present at the release were the Honourable Robert Mitchell, Minister of Communities, Land and Environment, and Steve MacLean, deputy minister. The eagle is one of several raptors treated at AVC and released back to the wild this past summer. The AVC wildlife service thanks the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre for supporting the care of wildlife at the College.