Wildlife Center Receives Two Injured Bald Eagles for Rehabilitation

BY MELANIE BUCK –

Two of the nation’s national birds are being cared for by local wildlife rehabilitator Tommy Young, of the Arkansas Native Plant and Wildlife Center. Of the pair of bald eagles, one is a juvenile and the other is an adult. Both were brought to young in signs of distress and both are in desperate need of sponsors to insure their rehabilitation and release back into the wild.

The most recent to come to Young is the adult. It was found at Circle C Ranch outside of Mena. The owners of the ranch, Richard and Lisa Campbell said the eagle has lived there full time for about ten years and they recently noticed a problem.

After Young retrieving the injured bird, he discovered that the elbow of the bald eagle had been damaged by a predatory animal such as a bobcat. “It looks like a bobcat bit it in the elbow joint and fractured it in a couple of places, both above and below the elbow,” Young explained. He said that he has already inserted titanium pins in the fractures and the healing process is already beginning.

The juvenile bald eagle that Young is currently caring for has been confirmed by blood testing to be suffering from zinc poisoning and will lose every feather in her body. The 2 ½ month old baby eagle was found swimming in Lake Ouachita with many damaged feathers and brought to Young in hopes of saving it. He said the mother of the eagle was probably getting ‘sucker fish’ from the lake and feeding it to her young. The fish eat off the bottom of the lake, where zinc collects, and passes it on when the bird digests their meal. Much of the zinc in the lake is thought to have come from old zinc mines in the area.

For treatment, Young wishes to perform ‘imping,’ or replacing feathers, on the juvenile; however, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would like for him to let the feathers fall out and new ones grow in naturally. As the governing authority, Young complies and will wait it out and care for the young bald eagle over the next year, at least. He hopes to be able to release the adult this fall.

Part of Young’s job includes informing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within 24 hours of receiving a bird of prey, especially a bald eagle. They track Young’s inventory of birds of prey and sometimes advise him on how to care for the injured. However, they give no funding to Young or his wildlife hospital.

Some of their requirements include blood tests and x-rays of the injured birds of prey… tests that cost Young $1,100 each time. He has taken both bald eagles in his possession to have those tests run and has submitted the results to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The testing has almost drained his accounts that are used for the daily operations of the wildlife hospital.

This is Young’s busiest time of year when dozens of animals are brought daily for rehab services. Both eagles are in need of sponsorship to continue their care. Donations are always accepted and appreciated by Young. Monetary donations can be made by mailing to: P.O. Box 1881, Mena, AR  71953. Or, direct bank drafts can be sent to Arkansas Native Plant and Wildlife Center accounts at either Union Bank of Mena or Bear State Bank. Non-monetary donations are also needed. Many of the supplies needed can be purchased at the Farmer’s Co-op in Mena and left for Young to pick up. For more information, contact Young at 479-437-3750.

As a 501(c)3 organization, all donations are tax deductible.

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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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