The Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center (WERC) is
playing caretaker to an eight-pound male golden eagle who was found
injured on Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Gilroy June 22.
Morgan Hill – The Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center (WERC) is playing caretaker to an eight-pound male golden eagle who was found injured on Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Gilroy June 22.
According to Sue Howell, WERC executive director, the eagle is a juvenile, within its first or second year of birth.
It is not, however, an endangered specie. The bald eagle, which for 50 years was deemed endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has been delisted from “threatened” status under the Endangered Species Act.Â
The golden eagle is suffering from a dislocated right leg, that is twisted almost at 360 degrees. There is a deep wound over the knee-cap area.
He is waiting to be seen by Monterey veterinarian James Roush.
“We’re doing our best to maintain comfort until something can be done,” Howell said. “Controlling a wild bird like this is a tremendous amount of work. We are being extremely careful right now, because of his leg he can’t hunt or even bend both legs to fly, we have it on pain medication. But Dr. Roush is one of the best that works with animals and birds, if anyone can do anything for this bird, he can.”
The bird was spotted between the eighth and ninth holes by Eagle Ridge co-owner Frank Felice the morning of June 22 and he notified Gilroy Animal Control officers.
According to Howell, the eagle appeared as if he had not eaten in days, but WERC has put him back on a steady diet. There is still no explanation for the cause of the injury.
“It’s a puzzle,” Howell said. “Usually we can get an explanation from the rescuer or tell from the injury. But in this case, it’s hard to tell because nobody saw it get injured and the location on the leg of the injury makes it harder.”
WERC of Morgan Hill is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and preserving native wildlife in the South County area. It has been in the area since 1984 and is made up of about 20 volunteers who are trained and licensed to handle wildlife animals.
WERC is open seven days a week, 365 days a year and handle anywhere between 200 and 300 animals a year.
