Rehabilitated bird of prey released at UP
By Julius Calasicas
A recovered female bald eagle was returned to the wild on the bluff last Friday. A crowd of about 150 students, staff, faculty, community members and media gathered beside Swindells Hall at 1 p.m., forming a wide semicircle around a white cage to view the national bird's release.
Sophomore Kai Gumataotao had to stand on a trash can to see above the heads of onlookers. Public Safety officers were present to ensure onlookers maintained a safe distance from the 12-pound bald eagle.
"I know it sounds cliché," Gumataotao said. "But in essence, (the release) was breathtaking."
The Conservation Director of the Audubon Society of Portland Bob Sallinger told those gathered about the condition of the bird and its recent removal from the endangered species list earlier this year.
When Sallinger cautiously removed the eagle from its cage, gasps of awe were heard. Sallinger held the bird tight under his arm, and walked the circumference of the crowd.
"The eagle wasn't as cuddly as I imagined," Controller's Office Accountant Karen Lee said. "It looked more like a raptor."
Senior Thuy-Tien Pham said the bird of prey resembled a dinosaur.
"Has anyone said it was beautiful?" asked senior Erik Gates. "Because it was."
Gates described the eagle as majestic and its first flight in eight days to be striking.
The eagle was one of two birds found on campus on Oct. 18. According to the Audubon Society, one eagle had died with its talons clutched to the surviving eagle's thigh, keeping her from flying away.
Kacy Keippela, a Moreau Center program assistant, saw the pair at about 8 a.m. by the tree in front of Swindells Hall.
"One looked like it was dead," Keippela said. "The other eagle had the right wing over the dead bird. Her head was up and was looking around; it looked like she was protecting the dead eagle."
After the university's Director of Environment Studies Program Steve Kolmes notified Audubon Wildlife Care Center, a staff veterinarian for the Audubon Society tended to the surviving eagle's wounds, including punctures to the right leg and beak. A flight cage was used to rebuild the eagle's strength.
According to the Audubon Society, bald eagles were removed from the Federal Endangered Species List earlier this year. There are currently two dozen pairs nesting in the Portland-Vancouver region, up from 0 in 1970.
"I think the work on campus and the restoration of the bluff is why we have wildlife," Sallinger said. "Some of the biggest causes to endangering species are urbanization. Historically, eagles were prolific but were wiped out with DDT that thinned eggshells."
Nationally, there are about 500 pairs of bald eagles, up from 100 in 1970.
