It felt like a homecoming when staff members from SeaWorld-Orlando, Busch Gardens-Tampa and Busch Gardens-Williamsburg visited the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey and several of our eagles.

Three Bald Eagles, which were unable to be released, were transferred to Busch-Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia last week for their new eagle exhibit.  Two adults and one juvenile are now residing at the over 100 acre Busch-Gardens theme park.

“All three Bald Eagles are eating well and appear to have settled in nicely as they continue to explore their new home,” states Jay Tacey, Manager of Zoological Ops at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg.

Each of these birds were admitted to the Center’s Raptor Trauma clinic at the end of 2012 with injuries that prevented them from being released.  They will now serve as education ambassadors for Busch-Gardens.  The Center places many of our non-releasable birds around the country with zoos and other organization for use in education and exhibits. The Center has placed several Bald Eagles and one Crested Caracara at SeaWorld parks in Orlando and Tampa, which are now part of their conservation programs.  SeaWorld’s Tampa and Orlando team spent some additional time meeting and assessing two non-releasable young Bald Eagles as possible ambassador birds for the Conservation Fund in California.

Earlier this week, the Center was excited to announce a $20,000 grant from the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund! The Conservation Fund has been supporting Audubon Center for Birds of Prey since 2004, when the fund began.  This grant supports the Center’s Eagle Rehabilitation programs.

Thank you to our partners and supporters from SeaWorld.