Audubon Center for Birds of Prey released the 380th rehabilitated Bald Eagle back into the Florida skies at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at the Ahhochee Hill Audubon Sanctuary, 24268 Lake Lindsey Road, near Brooksville, FL. David Bruzek, Lead Environmental Specialist for Progress Energy Florida, has been honored to release the bird.

“Audubon and Progress are working together to increase home energy and water conservation to benefit birds and our natural places,” said Traci Romine, Audubon’s Climate and Communications Director. “By releasing this Bald Eagle back into the wild, Mr. Bruzek helps Audubon celebrate our progress on conserving and protecting Florida’s wildlife.”      

This is the second time this female Bald Eagle will be released into the wild. She was rescued in Pinellas County on November 29, 2009.  She was first rescued in Palm Harbor January 31, 1996 by Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, and later transported to our center in Maitland.  She had been shot and suffered from a fractured right wing. She also had severe feather damage from the gunshot, and notes in her records questioned whether she could be released and survive.  After two years of rehabilitation, she was banded and released on February 24, 1998, northwest of Brooksville.

She was admitted to the Center for Birds of Prey again in November with injuries due to a territory fight with another eagle from Pinellas County.  She was reported by Russ Fernandes, who fished her out of his pool and notified the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary. Barb Walker, a Pinellas County Audubon EagleWatch Volunteer, helped coordinate the transport to the Center.  EagleWatch volunteers have been monitoring this nest since 1998.  Her injuries were quite severe, including puncture wounds and significant feather loss due to this territory fight.  After several months of intensive medical treatment, recuperation and several weeks of rehabilitation, the bird is ready for release to the wild. 

“We chose not to release her in Pinellas County since her mate has found a new female and they are raising newly hatched eaglets”, said Lynda White, Audubon EagleWatch Coordinator. “Ahhochee Hill is far enough away that hopefully she won’t make her way back to Pinellas County before nesting season is over.” With loss of habitat and an increasing eagle population, territory disputes are on the rise.  Audubon’s 17-year-old EagleWatch program coordinates staff and citizen science volunteers to carefully monitor Florida’s Bald Eagle populations and measure nesting success in 41 Florida counties.

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey is the leading raptor rehabilitation facility in the region and uniquely positioned to protect Bald Eagles and their habitat through its raptor rehabilitation, nest monitoring and educational programs. With its specialized eagle care, the Center treats the largest volume of raptors east of the Mississippi River, including more than 50 Bald Eagles annually.  A study has shown that the Center has had a direct impact on 33 percent of Florida’s current eagle population, either through direct rehabilitation or through the offspring of birds treated and released by the Center.