AKRON, OH – An injured bald eagle captured at Atwood Lake in early August will be released back into the wild on Saturday, September 4th, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
“This is an adult male bald eagle who had fishing line wrapped tightly around its wing, disabling it from flight,” explains Tom Henry, wildlife management assistant supervisor. “Atwood Lake staff first saw the eagle and did the right thing by calling the ODNR Division of Wildlife right away. Once it was safely caught, we immediately handed it over to the Medina Raptor Center for rehabilitation,” added Henry.
Since 1979 – when only four bald eagle pairs were found in the state – the division has helped reestablish Ohio’s eagle population through habitat development and protection, fostering of young eagles, and extensive observation of eagle nesting behavior. The population has now grown to an estimated 108 nesting bald eagle pairs and 127 eaglets fledging in 2004.
The ODNR Division of Wildlife’s work with bald eagles is funded through the sale of the bald eagle license plate. Proceeds from the sale of this plate are devoted to acquisition of land, management, and study of the bald eagle. To purchase the bald eagle license plate, contact your local deputy registrar or call the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 1/888-PLATES3.
Additional funding for bald eagle restoration is derived from contributions to the Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species Fund through a check-off on the Ohio state income tax form.
The release will occur at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 4th on the Atwood Lake dam off SR 212, 1.0 miles North of Sherrodsville, OH. This event is open to the public.
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For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at ohiodnr.com
For Further Information:
(330) 644-2293
Tom Henry or Jamey Graham
ODNR Division of Wildlife
