In the spring of 2025, a Bald Eagle traveled from Ohio to the Black Hills Raptor Center after being deemed unreleasable. The cause of his sustained injuries were attributed to a common issue for large scavengers - being struck by a vehicle. This is the first Bald Eagle the BHRC has taken on as an avian ambassador. After he was settled into his new home, patient bird handlers began working with the eagle to get him comfortable around humans, eating in their presence, eating from their hands, stepping up, going for walks on glove, and even being present around larger groups of people.
In early January, Big Bird took a trip to The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota to be examined for a spot on his wing that we were concerned about. After an x-ray, we learned that Big Bird’s wound was more intense than we could tell from his day-to-day behavior.
Up to this point, an x-ray of the bird seemed an unnecessary stress. However, the x-ray did reveal something we were not expecting in the least. Big Bird has shotgun pellets throughout his body, including 2 in his head, which we now know is the cause of his blindness. This discovery helps us know more about what this bird has endured, which helps us understand how best to help him. With input from multiple experts and vets, the likelihood that these pellets will migrate to cause further damage is miniscule. We do not believe these fragments are lead, or that the pellets are currently causing Big Bird pain.
We’re going to take this opportunity to share that shooting bald eagles, and any bird protected under the Migratory Bird Act (which includes all species of raptors we have at BHRC), is a federal crime.
Big Bird is fortunate to have a large team of caregivers and a community that have his best interests at heart. When we sent Big Bird to the University of Minnesota, we thought he might be there for one week. After surgery, and treatments to help his wing heal correctly, one week extended to eight weeks. This was an unexpected medical expense that we do not have in the budget. Can you help us pay for this expense for this magnificent bird?
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