From the Hudson River to Recovery: The Bald Eagle’s Fight for Survival
photo courtewsy of the The Raptor Trust
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Long Hill, NJ – Two weeks ago, a bald eagle was found stranded on a chunk of ice in the freezing Hudson River, near the George Washington Bridge. Today, there is a glimmer of hope for the iconic bird as it continues its recovery at The Raptor Trust in Morris County.
The nonprofit rehabilitation center shared a positive update on Facebook this week: the eagle has officially been moved out of critical care and into a larger, outdoor enclosure.
A Cautious Step Forward
After arriving at the center on February 17 in “very serious” condition, the eagle’s progress has been slow but steady. Caretakers at The Raptor Trust report that the bird is now more alert, eating independently, and—most importantly—keeping its food down.
However, the medical team is not out of the woods yet. While initial tests for lead poisoning came back negative, the eagle’s white blood cell count remains alarmingly high. This suggests the bird may be battling a persistent infection or other types of toxicity. The facility has conducted a second, comprehensive blood panel and is currently awaiting results to pinpoint the exact cause of the illness.
A Familiar Face to Local Birders
This specific eagle is no stranger to the area. Executive Director Christopher D. Soucy confirmed that the bird was originally banded as a juvenile in Stony Brook, New York, in 2005. For many years, the eagle has been a fixture nesting along the Palisades, making this rescue particularly significant for local wildlife enthusiasts.
A Reminder for Wildlife Fans
While the public is eager to support the bird’s recovery, The Raptor Trust reminds everyone that the eagle is not on display. By law, patients in rehabilitation are kept in private, quiet environments to ensure their stress levels remain low. Visitors to the center can only view the facility’s permanent “ambassador birds.”
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Tags: #BaldEagle #WildlifeRescue #TheRaptorTrust #NJWildlife #HudsonRiver #NatureConservation #AnimalRecovery #NewJerseyNews
