Creature Feature : Betsy
Not long ago , the curator of the Wildlife Discovery Center , Rob Carmichael , embarked on a 2,000-mile round-trip journey to retrieve our featured animal : Betsy , the bald eagle . Now acclimating well to her new home , she is soon to be a celebrity .
Accidentally struck by a motorist last year while seeking an easy “ road kill ” meal ( a common mishap among birds of prey ), our bird was critically injured . The dedicated staff of the Center for Birds of Prey in Charleston , South Carolina painstakingly rehabilitated her for nearly one year . Although their goal is to be able to reintroduce their charges to the wild , some birds just cannot be released because of an inability to survive on their own and must be placed in facilities qualified to care for them on a permanent basis . While she was recovering , Rob was working with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service , procuring the necessary permits required to exhibit and care for her .
Slowly adjusting to her new home since her arrival on August 28 , 2016 , Betsy is becoming very vocal and loves playing in her pool . Visitors will likely find her perched high above her shelter box , where she feels more secure and has a better view of her surroundings . She enjoys cool showers from a hose on warm days and loves dining on trout , rats , rabbit , and venison . A variety of food like this is imperative to provide the nutrition essential to her health .
WILDLIFE DISCOVERY
With needed funding , a larger exhibit can be constructed providing Betsy space to fly a bit as well as allow room for a water feature where she can “ hunt ” fish , bathe , and cool herself .
Our national bird , the widely revered bald eagle , is one of North America ’ s largest birds of prey . The scientific name ( or binomial nomenclature ) for this species , Haliaeetus leucocephalus , essentially means “ white-headed sea eagle .” This refers not only to their affinity for water , but also to the distinctive color of their head plumage . Nearly half the world ’ s 70,000 extant bald eagles are found in Alaska . Our girl has not yet developed her adult plumage ; that will occur upon sexual maturity ( at approximately five years of age ), when her white head and yellow beak will be fully developed . Like many other eagles , these birds are well known for their ability to snatch fish from rivers , streams , lakes , and oceans . However , bald eagles are especially opportunistic and will readily hunt rodents and other prey in addition to scavenging for carrion .
The American bald eagle was removed from the federal List of Endangered Species and Wildlife in 2007 . Fortunately , the bald eagle still remains protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act .
Using safe and appropriate restraints , the WDC staff anticipates soon being able to take her out of confinement periodically , allowing her to meet her public . In time , she should be able fly as much as 100 yards , while secured with a creance ( a long tether ) for her safety . This exercise will provide enrichment critical to her long-term physical and psychological well-being .
For more information , or to learn how you can help support our new celebrity , please contact Rob Carmichael , Curator , at carmichr @ cityoflakeforest . com . www . LFrec . com
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