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Greenburgh Nature Center Gets 2 Bald Eagles |
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Posted by Editor
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Tuesday, 20 May 2008 |
 Scarsdale, NY - The Greenburgh Nature Center (GNC), a nature preserve in Scarsdale, NY, has recently added two non-releasable bald eagles to its outdoor animal exhibits. The eagles, obtained from the Wildlife Center of Virginia through the permit service programs of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, will be used by GNC staff for educational programming and are on display for the visiting public.
“All injured wildlife have stories to tell,” said Travis Brady, GNC’s Animal Museum Curator. “These bald eagles have been deemed no longer able to survive in the wild, so they will serve as ambassadors for their species here.”
The first of the two eagles arrived at the GNC on April 21st after originally being found in February 2007 at a Virginia landfill. At that time, the bird was unable to fly, had cloudiness in both eyes, and had clenched talons. After being treated for chemical poisoning, the bird’s eyes recovered. But it was unable to grow out its feathers, perhaps a long-term effect of exposure to a toxic chemical.
The second bird arrived at the GNC on May 5th after recovering from a collision with a tractor-trailer on a Virginia highway. Both wings were severely damaged, but surgeries were successful, and the eagle has limited flight abilities. However, veterinarians found that the eagle also had tears in the retina in its left eye, limiting its vision and making it non-releasable.
The bald eagle is most distinguished as the national symbol for the United States of America. Easily recognized by its brown body, white head and yellow eyes, this bird can reach an impressive size with a wingspan of up to eight feet. Bald eagles are found over most of North America, from Alaska and Canada to Northern Mexico. The majority of the population is found in Alaska, where there is undisturbed seacoast habitat and an abundance of fish, the bird’s preferred food.
Bald eagles are extremely sensitive to human activity, and like many other birds of prey, the eagle population was severly affected by the use of the pesticide DDT during the mid 20th century. DDT affected the bird’s ability to metabolize calcium, and when the female layed eggs, the shells were so thin that they cracked easily. Unable to rear offspring, bald eagle populations declined. By 1960 there was only one known active bald eagle nest in New York State, and the number of bald eagles that wintered in New York was reduced to less than a few dozen. Bald eagles were officially declared an endangered species in 1967. Aided in part by the reintroduction of eagles from other areas, today the bald eagle population in New York has increased to more than 80 nesting pairs. The bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list in June 2007 but continues to remain highly protected. The Greenburgh Nature Center is located at 99 Dromore Road, off Central Park Avenue, in Scarsdale, NY. Parking is free, and handicapped parking is available. The center’s grounds are open daily dawn to dusk throughout the year. The Manor House exhibits are open daily except Fridays and a few holidays, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on weekends. For further information, call (914) 723-3470, or go to the website, www.greenburghnaturecenter.org.
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