Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care releases Golden Eagle over Red Lake
Submitted by editor on Tue, 09/27/2016 - 12:28pm
There were tears, smiles and applause as a Golden Eagle was released Sunday over Red Lake after being rehabilitated by Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care for the past month.
"Loyalton" was found by a Fish and Wildlife warden near the town of Loyalton with no real injuries, but was emaciated. LTWC volunteers call Loyalton a "he" but they don't really know as they don't test the sex on their eagles.
The eagle spent the last four weeks eating one-half of a rabbit daily, and for the last two weeks, he daily flying sessions at Lake Tahoe Golf Course with LTWC volunteers. They felt Loyalton was strong and read to be released as he was flying well.
A crowd of people made the journey out to Red Lake with LTWC founders Cheryl and Tom Milham, Mike Kenney, the volunteer who had been working with Loyalton, and several kids and other community members who wanted to see the release.
He joins the other 25-30 eagles released by LTWC at this same spot. Tom said they used to drive to the area the birds were originally found, but once they went to Red Lake they have used that spot exclusively. They can watch them spread their wings and head off into the blue.
One of the kids asked Tom where Loyalton would go.
"He can go which every way he wants," answered Tom.
Golden Eagles don't stay in any home area, or stay with family, and they can cover 100 miles a day. Milham said Loyalton could even be as far as his former home skies by the time the gathered group made it back to South Lake Tahoe.
Kenney said the eagle had put on about 1.5 to 2 pounds since arriving at the LTWC headquarters in Meyers.
"This is a very special moment," said Tom. "Once the bird goes we'll know he'll be happy too."
As Kenney released Loyalton, the bird soared over the edge of the viewing parking lot above Red Lake on Hwy 88. He took a couple of passes by the crowd watching his trip to freedom and was even joined by a red-tailed hawk for a moment before heading off above the mountains.
"One thing know for sure is that we don't know where he'll go," added Cheryl Milham.
The Milhams have another Golden Eagle at the center, but when she is ready to go is anyone's guess. Named "Woodfords" after the area she was found as are all rehabilitating animals at LTWC, she had a lot of bugs on her and was also emaciated. They gave her flea baths and antibiotics, two things that the bugs don't like, and will continue to feed her the one-half rabbit a day until she is ready to fly off like Loyalton.
When that time will be is anyone's guess. Tom said she isn't interested in flying, so they focused their energy on the one released, and will check in with Woodfords this week to see if she's ready or not to fly. He explained that sometimes the birds just aren't into flying, so they will leave them alone, and revisit the task from time to time ....the birds are ready when they're ready and there is no forcing them to fly.
Anyone wishing to donate to feeding Woodfords and the other animals, including five bears, may do so by visiting their website - www.ltwc.org.
For more on this and other stories go to South Tahoe Now.
