Date: 4/25/08
Contact: Aaron Meier
Phone: (775) 688-1998

EAGLE RELEASED BACK INTO THE WILD AT WALKER LAKE LOON FESTIVAL

Jenni Jeffers, NDOW Western Region biologist, slowly opened the door on a large carrier and stepped back. As a crowd of over 250 looked on, a golden eagle stepped out of its cage and immediately took to the air; within seconds it was soaring high above the crowd.

Western Region biologist Jenni Jeffers releases a golden eagle back into the wild during the Walker Lake Loon Festival. - Photo by Patrick Pharris

The eagle had sustained head and eye injuries after being hit by a car near Hawthorne, several months earlier. Now, as part of the Annual Walker Lake Loon Festival events held on April 19, the eagle was released back into the wild.

“I heard a gasp from many people when the bird emerged from her carrier. When the eagle was released everyone was happy to see so much power in her flight as she soared above Walker Lake,” said Jeffers, adding that many spectators were also happy knowing the eagle was back in her home territory.

Jeffers reports that the eagle had been through several months of rehabilitation at the Wildlife Animal Infirmary of Nevada in Washoe Valley. The facility, run by Nancy Laird, is licensed and permitted by NDOW. In the beginning, the eagle was housed in a pen indoors to stay warm and received constant care and monitoring. As the bird recovered from her injuries and regained strength, she was placed in a large flight pen constructed of heavy netting.

“It is a long, laborious and costly process to rehabilitate these birds back to the wild,” said Jeffers. “Nancy did a good job. NDOW and the town of Hawthorne are grateful to her for her efforts.”

The golden eagle is Nevada's largest resident raptor. Although the bald eagle is slightly larger, it is only present in Nevada during the winter months. The golden eagle is fairly common in Nevada with the highest populations located in the northern part of the state.

The annual Walker Lake Loon Festival coincides with the spring migration of common loons as they head for their nesting grounds in Saskatchewan, Canada, approximately 1,300 miles from Walker Lake.

The festival was attended by more than 250 people with several participants taking boat tours on the lake to view the loons close up.

“The event was well attended and enjoyed by everyone I spoke with,” said Jeffers. “This is the first bird release we have done during the festival and lots of people said it was definitely a highlight for them.”

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.