Eagle Rescue

Well I had another post in mind for today but a couple of days ago I received  an email from the Verde Canyon Railroad. If you have been following the blog you know that the Verde Canyon Railroad bills itself as the  “Longest-running Nature Show.” Located in Arizona, the railroad follows the  Verde River from Clarksdale to Perkinsville. Passengers enjoy a scenic, wilderness ride through the canyon that includes passing ancient Indian cliff dwellings and wildlife sightings. These sightings often include Bald Eagles. There is a nesting pair of bald eagles named Black & Decker as well as  other eagles. The attached email outlines an experience that resulted in an  eagle rescue. It also spotlights the dangers of using lead based shot if you are a hunter. Often lead bullets harm more than the intended target. Kudos  to the Verde Canyon Railroad for stepping up to this challenge and helping to save one of our national treasures.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Verde Canyon Railroadand Liberty Wildlife make a great team! November, 2010~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is Eagle Watch Every Day in the Verde Canyon..not just during a Season. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The rescued eagle is responding and is hungry

During an afternoon excursion on Saturday, October 30th,  keen-eyed Verde Canyon Railroad staff spotted an  adult bald eagle close to the tracks. The bird appeared in peril, with its wings spread across a large rock. Via radio, the crew called the supervisor at the train depot about the sighting and scouted for the animal on the return trip from  Perkinsville. By this time, the eagle had moved to a  nearby low cliff overhanging the tracks. Over the past two decades of operation, the Verde Canyon  Railroad has maintained a strong relationship with the Arizona Game & Fish Department, actively involved with  their Eagle Watch Program. Recently the Railroad adopted Liberty Wildlife, an animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Scottsdale, as a corporate charity. Because of this association, the Verde Canyon Railroad staff has become more knowledgeable about the habits and actions of the feathered residents in the Canyon. Recognizing the potentially serious signs of distress exhibited by the eagle, the train employees also were sensitive to unnecessary human intervention. The decision was made to return at sunrise the next day to see if the eagle was still grounded where it had been spotted. Early Sunday morning, from their vantage point on a high-rail vehicle, Verde Canyon Railroad Naturalist Brandi Lee Cooper and Road Master John Doull spotted the eagle sitting in water near the river's edge. The bird's status was relayed to Arizona Fish & Game  eagle expert Kenneth "Tuck" Jacobson in Prescott Valley. Jacobson determined that the eagle's life was in danger  and human intervention was imperative. The high-rail returned to the depot, picked up Jacobson and within an hour arrived back to the ailing eagle's location. As Jacobson collected the bird and prepared it to be transported to Liberty Wildlife he noted another eagle  continually circling overhead. "His actions were in no way threatening to us and he was obviously concerned for his mate" said Jacobson. Suffering from possible lead poisoning with respiratory involvement, the eagle is now being treated by professionals.  It has been determined that the Eagle is approximately 5 years old and is female. Liberty Wildlife staff is confident of a full recovery and an eminent release back into the  Verde Canyon soon. Lead shot and lead sinkers used in recreational hunting and fishing have an adverse effect on scavenger animals,  including eagles and other birds of prey. If they consume  carrion tainted with lead, it poisons their system and  generally results in death. Hunters and fishermen are encouraged to use copper shot and sinkers which do not unfavorably affect waterfowl and wildlife.

While Liberty Wildlife educates about animal rehabilitation and responsible conservation,  Verde Canyon Railroad provides an unparalleled  learning opportunity by placing people in the cohesive environment Liberty Wildlife envisions for all animals. To make reservations on Verde Canyon Railroad,  call 800-293-7245 or visit http://www.verdecanyonrr.com/ to become part of a great journey. To learn more about Liberty Wildlife, visit http://www.libertywildlife.org/

　

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