A now-healed bald eagle takes a few steps out of a carrying crate after being released at Ottawa Trail Woods in Lyons. (Supplied photos)
Eagle healed, released to mate
Rescuers thrilled with victory
By Kelly White
Wildlife advocates last week released an eagle in the forest preserves several blocks northwest of Garfield Ridge.
The eagle was the subject of a story last month in the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound.
The release marked the end of a six-week rehabilitation stint that started when the bird was found on the ground near the street in the wooded area just west of 47th and Harlem.
It was rescued by members of Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, who noticed the eagle acting erratically, as if it was injured or ill.
“This is why we do this,” Chicago Bird Collision Monitors Director Annette Prince said. “It’s all about getting them safe, healthy and getting them back out there again. It’s all about the release, and this is truly a happy ending.”
Once captured, the eagle was placed under the care of the Glen Ellyn-based Willowbrook Wildlife, where veterinarians determined during a blood test that the eagle was not injured, but poisoned by anti-coagulants normally used to kill rats. The poison prevents blood from clotting and causes uncontrolled internal bleeding. Raptors who eat mice and rats (as well as rabbits and squirrels) are then themselves poisoned, and the food chain continues.
Dr. Sarah Reich, lead veterinarian at Willowbrook, said the eagle has made strides towards improving every day.
Reich believes the eagle to be male, based on its size and markings, even though rescue volunteers believe it to be a female, also based on its size and maturity. Male eagles typically weigh up to 10 pounds, and this one is at the max end of that spectrum; whereas, females weigh between 12-14 pounds, Reich said, so, it is difficult to tell for certain.
Lorna Lightle, of the Villa Park-based Chicago Bird Collision Monitors volunteers of La Grange Park, who was on site and assisted during the day of the rescue, was responsible for naming the majestic bird.
“I named the eagle Betty, after Betty White, who passed away on New Year’s Eve,” Lightle said. “A bald eagle, just like Betty White, is an American icon. I could not think of a name more fitting.”
The eagle is believed to be part of a mating pair, so it was released where it was found, in the hope it would return to its mate.
“The eagle flew to a tree above the field where it was released,” Deb Humiston, Communications Lead for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, said.
The eagle later flew a few blocks east, where it found its mate and nest in a tall tree in a relatively quiet area. Rescuers declined to say exactly where, because they want the nest to remain undisturbed by people.
Prince, who was able to obtain a photo of the pair of eagles, said she was thrilled with the outcome.
“It was exciting to have begun the new year with the rescue of such a magnificent bird,” Prince said. “We are thrilled that it could be rehabilitated and released to rejoin its mate. It is important to our work to both give injured birds a second chance to return to the wild and to be able to raise awareness to the dangerous consequences that rodent poisons can have on our native wildlife.”
“Release is the ultimate goal of wildlife rehabilitation,” Reich added. “Unfortunately, that goal is not achievable in some animals, especially in cases of rodenticide toxicosis, so it makes the success stories that much more precious. This case was especially rewarding because this eagle was able to quickly reunite with his or her mate, despite spending almost 40 days away in care. The fact that that bond remained unbroken despite weeks apart, and that this individual was returned hopefully just in time for breeding season, means that a successful nesting season may be in the future.”
Those interested in learning more about Chicago Bird Collision Monitors may visit birdmonitors.net. Those interested in learning more about wildlife rehabilitation are encouraged to visit dupageforest.org/willowbrook-wildlife-center.
Local News
First Secure Bank to host American Eagle gold coin sale
Spread the loveFrom staff reports First Secure Bank & Trust of Palos Hills announced its annual May sale of 1-ounce and ¼-ounce American Eagle Gold Coins, produced by the U.S. Mint, will take place from 10 a.m.to noon on Saturdays, May 4, May 11, May 18 and May 25. The sale will take place at…
Boys Volleyball | Richards weathering struggles after run of success
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After a tough weekend at the Smack Attack tournament, Richards got back into the win column with a two-set victory over Eisenhower in a South Suburban Red match. The Bulldogs made quick work of the Cardinals, winning 25-16, 25-15 on April 23 in Oak Lawn to snap a five-match…
Year of growth | Evergreen Park enjoying inaugural boys volleyball season
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After almost 70 years of existence as a high school, Evergreen Park finally has a boys volleyball team. The Mustangs are playing their inaugural season with a junior varsity squad, with some matches being played at the varsity level. Head coach Brian Zofkie is leading this group with assistant…
Swanson scores, assists in Red Stars’ win over Reign
Spread the loveThe Red Stars improved to 3-1-1 by beating the Seattle Reign, 2-1, on the road on April 21. Mallory Swanson had an assist on an Ali Schlegel goal in the fourth minute and added a goal of her own in the 31st minute. Swanson missed last season after sustaining a knee injury on…
Red Stars’ Tatumn Milazzo has top Save of the Week
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Tatumn Milazzo called her achievement “funny.” The Chicago Red Stars defender and Orland Park native was awarded the NWSL’s Save of the Week after chasing down a ball in a loss to Angel City on April 13. The Save of the Week usually goes to a goalie. Milazzo laughed…
Men’s College Volleyball | Saint Xavier captures fifth straight conference tourney title
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The SXU men’s volleyball team won its fifth straight Chicagoland Christian Athletic Conference tournament championship after a 25-16, 25-17, 25-22 sweep of Calumet College of St. Joseph on April 20 at the Shannon Center. Jan Lopuch had 10 kills and nine digs for the Cougars. With the win, the…
College Baseball | Saint Xavier upsets Eastern Illinois
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Saint Xavier baseball team picked up a win that its players are going to remember for a long time. The Cougars stunned Eastern Illinois, 4-2, on April 17 in Charleston. It was the Cougars’ first win over the Panthers, a Division I program, since 2005. Lyons grad Troy…
Neighbors
Immigrant advocates tout new report showing benefits of state-funded health plans
By PETER HANCOCK and JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Immigrant rights advocates on Friday continued to push for one of their top budget priorities: full funding for state-run health care programs that benefit noncitizens, regardless of their immigration status. Those programs offer health coverage for low-income individuals who would otherwise qualify for…
As state continues to inventory lead pipes, full replacement deadlines are decades away
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com Lead pipes in public water systems and drinking fixtures have been banned in new construction since 1986, when Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, but they are still in use across the U.S. and in Illinois. The presence of lead pipes has persisted due in part to…
Capitol Briefs: State unveils report on racial disparities among homeless populations
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Tackling homelessness requires addressing racial injustice, according to a new report commissioned by the state’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness. The report found that Black people are eight times more likely to experience homelessness than white people. Remedying this disparity, according to the report, would require “long-term…
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
by Meredith Newman, Illinois Answers Project April 16, 2024 This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. The electricity in Mary Buchanan’s home in West Garfield Park was not working – again. The outage lasted four days, starting just after a crew dug up her front lawn to install a check valve in…
Bears pitch $3.2B stadium plan, but Pritzker still ‘skeptical’ despite team’s $2B pledge
By DILPREET RAJU & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The Chicago Bears laid out a $3.2 billion plan for a new domed stadium on Chicago’s lakefront on Wednesday afternoon, painting pictures of future Super Bowls and other major public events while pinning their hopes on yet-to-be-had conversations with the governor and lawmakers. The Bears…
Regulators weigh future of gas industry in Illinois, while clamping down on Chicago utility
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Natural gas is fueling a fight between consumer advocates, a powerful utility company and the state. Amid competing advertising campaigns, accusations of mismanagement and state decarbonization efforts, the Illinois Commerce Commission is starting a process that will shape how the state regulates the increasingly controversial industry. …
Komatsu mining truck named 2024 ‘coolest thing made in Illinois’
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A mining truck manufactured by Komatsu was crowned the winner of the 2024 “Makers Madness” contest, earning the title of “the coolest thing made in Illinois” at the Governor’s Mansion Wednesday. The truck was one of more than 200 entries in the 5th annual contest hosted…
Giannoulias calls for disclosure of lobbyist contracts
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – For decades, lobbyists in the Illinois Statehouse have been required to report how much they spend wining, dining and entertaining lawmakers. Currently, though, there is no law requiring lobbyists to disclose how much they are paid by corporations, industry groups or other special interest organizations. That…
Illinois Senate advances changes to state’s biometric privacy law after business groups split
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – It’s been more than a year since the Illinois Supreme Court “respectfully suggest(ed)” state lawmakers clarify a law that’s led to several multi-million-dollar settlements with tech companies over the collection of Illinoisans’ biometric data. On Thursday, a bipartisan majority in the Illinois Senate did just that,…
Illinoisans can now get documents notarized online
By ALEX ABBEDUTO Capitol News Illinois abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinoisans who need a notary public can now access those services online through a new “E-Notary” portal launched by the secretary of state’s office. This process is one of the latest initiatives of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ ongoing effort to modernize the office and its services. Notaries…