Audubon Center for Birds of Prey experts and special guest Rob Yordi, Curator of Zoological Operations for Busch Gardens Tampa and representative for the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, released the 395th rehabilitated Bald Eagle back into the Florida skies at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 14, at Palm Cemetery in Winter Park.

“The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund is proud to have provided $60,000 in grants to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey since 2004,” said Yordi. “The Center’s work to rescue, rehabilitate and release birds of prey and protect their habitat is vital to Florida’s ecosystem and the wide range of species population in the region.”

This adult Bald Eagle was rescued in January 2010 at  Mary Schultz’s home on Miller Ave.  in Winter Park near the Palm Cemetery.  The bird’s injuries included puncture wounds and a fractured right coracoid, a bone in its right shoulder.  Center specialists believe the bird was in a territory fight with another eagle.  Audubon staff and veterinarians treated the eagle, which healed nicely but then contracted a fungal infection and other complications delaying her release until this month.