Young has Eagles Soaring In

BY MELANIE BUCK –

Wildlife Rehabilitator Tommy Young is finding his wildlife hospital filling up with eagles, and before the normal season for them to be in the area has even started. Young has received four bald eagles this year, losing one hours after arrival, and sending another back into the wild after her rehabilitation was complete.

On November 11^th, another bald eagle was brought in after being found with a head injury near Hot Springs. Young explained that in addition to the head injury, it also had a fractured wing and ligament sling. “Dr. Sullivan and I will have to go in and scrape out a calcium deposit that has built up on the wing, causing it to be unable to fly,” Young said. The eagle is still in need of a sponsor as Young has already used $1,000 of his funds to get the federally required blood tests and x-rays done.

Young still has Spirit, the juvenile bald eagle brought in the Spring with zinc poisoning. Spirit has been sponsored by E&S Construction and will remain in rehabilitation services for several more months.

On November 20th, he released Liberty, a bald eagle who had been bitten by a bobcat. That made Young’s 53rd bald eagle to be released in 32 years and his 90th eagle release altogether.

In addition to the eagles Young is already housing, he received a call Monday night from Arkansas Game and Fish that another eagle was being delivered to him from Northwest Arkansas, meaning another $1,000 for initial testing plus, additional aids to complete the rehabilitation process. To help support the eagles, or other animals Young is rehabilitating, contact him at 479-243-0976.

A reward is still being offered for the break-in and theft of the animal hospital in October. The investigation into who committed the crimes is ongoing. Arkansas Game and Fish are investigating the poaching of a resident four-year old deer and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the robbery of the museum.

Young and his supporters are offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. If you have any information, contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Department at 479-394-2511 or Tommy Young at 479-243-0976.

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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