Case Z-083

Case Stories
" Murray"
Case Z-083

General Information
Species: Bald Eagle
Date Admitted: 3/19/99
Recovered From: Lake City
State: Minnesota
Sex: Unknown

This eagle came in with head tremors, body tremors, extensive rigidity of both legs, lice, and dark green mutes (term for droppings). No fractures or soft tissue trauma were found. Blood tests revealed suppressed levels of cholinesterase, which is indicative of organophosphate (OP) or carbamate poisoning.

OPs and carbamates can be found in fertilizers and pesticides. The way an eagle could pick this up is from fertilizers that have run off into a body of water and contaminated the fish. Eagles can also scavange dead "pest" birds such as starlings and pigeons that have been poisoned with the OPs or carbamates.

Treatment consisted of fluids, atropine, valium, activated charcoal, and hand-feeding. Ten days later, the blood cholinesterase levels were checked again and the results came back normal. On March 5, 1999, the eagle was moved to a flight room, then a week later to an outdoor flight pen. On Mar. 14, the flight crew began exercising the bird. Flights started out short and weak, but by Mar. 28, the eagle was doing incredibly well. Flights continued to be energetic and long. The eagle was prepared for release on May 11 and fitted with a transmitter.

Murray was released on May 12 on the Minnesota River just north of Redwood Falls by volunteer Ernie Olson along with Dana and Ben from Nationwide.

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