Eagle Release

MEDIA ALERT
For immediate release

Contact: Amber Burnette, The Raptor Center, 612-624-3391 or burne018@umn.edu

Raptor Center to release rehabilitated bald eagle six months after being rescued, delivered via motorcycle

WHAT:  Bald eagle release

WHEN:  Noon Saturday, January 30, 2010  

WHERE:  Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings, Minnesota. Carpenter Nature Center is located on County Road 21 (St. Croix Trail), a mile and a half north of Highway 10.

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (January 28, 2010) - The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota will release Harley, a rehabilitated bald eagle, back to the wild at Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center in Hastings, Minnesota, on Saturday, January 30, at noon.

A unique story, Harley is being released six months after being brought in by a motorcyclist who found the bald eagle on the side of the road near Wascott, Wisconsin. Realizing the bird was injured, the motorcyclist wrapped it in his leather jacket, strapped it to the back of his Harley Davidson motorcycle, and transported it to the Duluth Zoo to find help. The eagle was then transferred to The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine on the St. Paul campus.

At the Raptor Center, Harley was diagnosed with a fractured wing and lead poisoning, which was most likely the result of consuming prey shot with lead ammunition. Harley was named by readers of the Duluth News Tribune after his story was published. The eagle will be fitted with a satellite transmitter that will allow The Raptor Center to track his movements after he is released. 

Cosponsored by The Raptor Center and Carpenter Nature Center, the event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact The Raptor Center at 612-624-4745.

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The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota specializes in the medical care, rehabilitation, and conservation of eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons. In addition to treating approximately 800 birds a year, the program provides training in raptor medicine and surgery for veterinarians from around the world, reaches more than 250,000 people each year through public education programs and events,and identifies emerging issues related to raptor health and populations.