Game Commission officials proudly released a rehabilitated bald eagle back into the wilds at the Curwensville Dam, Clearfield County, on November 29 as many of the individuals responsible for this majestic bird's recovery looked on.

On November 6, the sick, five-year-old female bald eagle, weighing 12 pounds, was discovered by Alan Bowser, of Clearfield, in a field close to his residence near Hyde, Clearfield County. Bowser contacted the Game Commission to report a sick or injured bald eagle.

"Mr. Bowser's quick response to this situation may have in fact saved the eagle's life," said Clearfield County WCO Chris Ivicic, who captured the eagle and took it to the Centre Wildlife Care Facility near Port Matilda. "The eagle appeared to be grounded, but had no physical injuries."

Robyn Graboski, owner of Centre Wildlife Care Facility, indicated that the eagle was possibly suffering from secondary lead poisoning. She informed Game Commission officials that, unless lead poisoning is detected early enough in these birds, they will often times die. She immediately began treating the eagle for the suspected lead poisoning. It only took days for the eagle to fully recover. The eagle was released today at the Curwensville Dam, where the female eagle is believed to have nested.

"Centre Wildlife Care is an excellent wildlife rehabilitation facility that we have worked with on many occasions, and they have proven themselves especially skilled when dealing with raptors, including bald eagles," said Dennis Dusza, Game Commission Northcentral Region Office. "Robyn Graboski and her team at Centre Wildlife Care are to be commended for their caring and compassionate work to rehabilitate this eagle. We would not be here today to return this eagle back into the wild if not for the quick response of Alan Bowser and the investment of time, skills, energy and money of Robyn Graboski and her team."

Dusza noted that Centre Wildlife Care, as well as other Pennsylvania licensed wildlife rehabilitation facilities, do their work to benefit Pennsylvania's wildlife without any direct funding from taxpayers.

This was the second time in recent weeks that the Game Commission and wildlife rehabilitators were able torelease a bald eagle back into the wild. On November 7, a rehabilitated eagle was released on State Game Land 143 in Warren County.

For more information, visit the Game Commission's bald eagle webpage.

12/5/2008