Juno's Story

Juno's story:
Minnesota Twins first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz releases bald eagle

On Wednesday, May 23, Minnesota Twins first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz released a bald eagle rehabilitated at The Raptor Center. The release took place at 5 p.m. at the Fort Snelling History Center in St. Paul, Minn.

The adult female bald eagle was admitted to The Raptor Center on Feb. 24, 2001, after being hit by a train in northern Minnesota. The incident was witnessed by the train's engine crew, who stopped the train, backed up, and recovered the injured eagle. She was transported to Minneapolis-St. Paul by Northwest Airlines and picked up at the airport by a volunteer, who took her to The Raptor Center. During their examination and X-rays of the eagle, veterinary staff discovered something rather remarkable: Despite her collision with a train, the eagle had no broken bones! Nevertheless, the internal trauma was severe, and for the first 12 days of hospitalization, the eagle was hand-fed by clinic staff and volunteers. After a month of cage rest, she was moved to a flight room with other convalescent eagles, and later, an outdoor flight pen. After several weeks of regular flight exercise, the eagle was flying well enough to return to the wild.

Mark Martell, The Raptor Center's conservation programs coordinator, outfitted the eagle with a transmitter two days before her release. The eagle was anesthetized for the procedure.

Prior to her release, the eagle was outfitted with a transmitter, which enables scientists at The Raptor Center to track her movements via satellite and post them on The Raptor Center's Web site. Weighing about three ounces, the transmitter is mounted on the eagle's back like a small backpack. Six other bald eagles are also being monitored via satellite by The Raptor Center. Progress reports will also be sent by newsletter to a couple of thousand people around the country who know the eagle as "Juno IX." These folks sponsor her and five other eagles through an Eagle Adoption Kit distributed by Healthy Planet Products of Petaluma, Calif. The kit, which sells for about $20, offers a choice of six sponsorship eagles from The Raptor Center.

The Raptor Center staff thanked Mr. Mientkiewicz for helping to raise awareness for the bald eagle and requested his support for a new project launched earlier this year with the National Audubon Society. The project, called Eagle Watch, will monitor the status of the bald eagle population in North America for the next 20 years, tracking bald eagles via satellite telemetry, monitoring environmental contaminants in bald eagles, and establishing a national education program designed to involve students and teachers in eagle monitoring and protection efforts.

Clinic volunteer Marcia Wolkerstorfer introduced Juno to
Doug Mientkiewicz as Dr. Pat Redig, director of The Raptor Center, looked on. (above)

After receiving instructions in how to hold the eagle, Doug paused for pictures. (above)

The big moment. Doug prepares to toss the eagle skyward. (above)

Liftoff! Juno was free! (above)