Injured Golden Eagle Being Cared For By Chocolay Raptor Center

For the original story by ABC-10’s Caleb Scanlon, click here.

The Chocolay Raptor Center is caring for their first golden eagle.

The bird was admitted Wednesday and is said to be in rough shape and receiving intensive care at this time.

The golden eagle, which is believed to be a male because of its size was found by a logger between Mass City and Ontonagon.

From there, the bird was given to the Department of Natural Resources who brought it to the raptor center.

Co–founders Jerry Maynard and Bob Jensen said the young bird has a badly injured toe and talon along with severe dehydration but Maynard says he is starting to perk up.

“He was getting more active today,” said Maynard.  “We’re feeding it solids. Then tomorrow probably he’s going to lose that toe. The damage is bad enough both in the broken bone and the tissue around it is all necrotic.”

Golden eagles are not native to Michigan, but they do occasionally pass through.

Maynard and Jensen are not sure if it will be releasable if it loses a toe.

Maynard said, “But if it’s not releasable, I’m sure we can place it at a raptor center that is licensed for eagles because a golden eagle would be pretty amazing in Michigan. They’re so unusual.”

The golden eagle is expected to be taken to ‘Wings of Wonder’ near Traverse City.