MINNESOTA, USA — The bitter cold couldn't come soon enough for The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota.
Eleven young bald eagles have been in the center's care for months. They should have been released weeks ago to learn how to hunt and survive from wild eagles that spend winters in Minnesota, but our warmer-than-average winter is pushing those plans back.
"They can get pretty darn feisty when they're feeling good, which thankfully all 11 are," said The Raptor Center Executive Director Dr. Victoria Hall. "They're all pretty darn close and we're really just waiting on the weather."
Dr. Hall says that the juveniles have to be reintroduced to large groups of fellow eagles that gather at the select few areas of the Mississippi River that stay open throughout winter.
But with so much water that isn't frozen yet, the wild birds are more dispersed - instead fishing all across the state, making that connection nearly impossible.
"We like to release these youngsters into groups of at least 50 eagles," said Dr. Hall. "They can further refine and hone their abilities to hunt or to scavenge by watching other eagles. So the adult, wild eagles are having lots of places to pick from to hunt, it's just this specific group of these juveniles that this weather is causing some changes for."
Last year, The Raptor Center cared for 170 injured eagles. Some are now part of the school, living there as an ambassador for the program.
"A lot of these injuries can be human-caused like hit by cars or running into windows, but oftentimes these birds are just found on the ground not doing well and people know who to call," said Dr. Hall.
The birds ready to be released may not graduate from "Eagle University" just yet, but Dr. Hall is certain the delay won't impact their development.
"We're very confident these birds will have a fantastic second chance at life," said Dr. Hall.
For a look at some of the birds and a further explanation of how the wacky winter weather is disrupting the eagle's plans, click here.
The Raptor Center's budget and clinic work is also funded nearly entirely by community donations. If you'd like to help, click here for more information.
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