The concern over the lesions that appeared on N24’s beak and now the appearance of the Avian Pox blisters on the little one’s feet has prompted an outpouring of concern.
Eight days after first noticing the lesions, the American Eagle Federation (AEF) issued a statement. That statement followed letters written by ‘concerned members of the public’ to both the Audubon Society and the AEF, the partners in the NE Florida Eagle Cam. At the same time, Lady Hawk edited a video showing the lesions. It was clear from the growing number of public comments to that video and to postings on FaceBook that there is a clear perception that certain Bald Eagle nests in Florida receive preferential treatment over others. People are asking for an intervention at the NEFL nest or, at the least, to get the permissions in place should the wildlife rehabbers have to act quickly.
Many have said that there can be no intervention because Avian Pox is not human caused. However, that is not the case. A Bald Eagle named Buddy, born in 2008, was removed from its nest because it had Avian Pox. Permission was granted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Here is the report from the Wild Life Center on Buddy’s intervention:
Both the Audubon Society and the American Eagle Federation have an obligation to protect and care for the birds. Both organizations state this on their websites. I live in Canada and I would like not to think that one nest takes precedent over all the other nests. And I would not like to think that an opportunity was missed to help a little eaglet heal. There is no cure for Avian Pox. But there are treatments for the secondary infections that often occur. If you are reading this and feel so inclined, please send an e-mail to Shawnlei Breeding. Her e-mail is: eaglewatch@audubon.org Request that she insist that the USFWS permit an urgent intervention – should it become necessary at the NE Florida nest – to save N24s life. Thank you.
I want to add that while the lesions continue to grow on the unfeathered parts of N24, the little eaglet is eating well and has good ps. I want very much for cutie pie’s immune system to work overtime and for the little eaglet’s system to help it heal itself. It is better for all concerned if this happens. That said, a qualified veterinarian along with the gifted wildlife rehabbers in the region will know when it is time for an intervention or, if we are lucky, that one is not necessary. The point is getting the permissions in place to act swiftly, if necessary.
It is about breakfast time in The Hamlet and little N24, who is three weeks old today, is waiting not so patiently for Samson to finish de-furring a squirrel for breakfast. Yum!
N24 loves to play with things in the nest and, in particular, his ‘friend Pinecone’.
Thank you for stopping by. I really appreciate your interest and your concern for the welfare of all of the world’s wildlife. As someone said to me earlier today, ‘we used to check for gas in the coal mines by sending in a canary.’ That dear eighty-three year old woman affirmed her belief that humans are only healthy when the rest of the non-human world is taken care of, respected, and well. She pondered what kind of a world would humans have if all of the birds started getting sick and dying.
Scaps taken from the live streaming cam at the NEFL Eagle nest provided by the Audubon Society and the AEF.