Previously poisoned eagle soars for first flight since December recovery

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Emily Nitcher

VALLEY, Neb. — Anne Hubbard held both legs of the bald eagle in her gloved hands and waited.

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Hubbard lifted the eagle upward and let go. The 4-year-old male eagle extended its wings to the full 5 feet and swooped low to the ground. The bird soared upward, over a lake and then landed on a cotton wood tree not far from where it was found five months ago.

It was the eagle's first flight in the wild since it was found Dec. 24 on a road in Valley. Unable to fly and suffering from lead poisoning, the eagle could have died if a few good Samaritans hadn't stopped and called Fontenelle Forrest's Raptor Recovery.

FULL story and more photos at link.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20140411/OUTDOORS/140419615/1685#previously-poisoned-eagle-soars-for-first-flight-since-december-recovery