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SOARING AGAIN: Injured bald eagle, after some care, back in wild

Submitted photo This bald eagle was cared for by Messinger Woods Wildlife Care & Education Center.

A wildlife center has released a bald eagle back into the wild near Westfield after helping to rescue the bird from an injury.

Messinger Woods Wildlife Care & Education Center, based in Orchard Park with a center in Holland, announced the release last week. It’s their third successful eagle release this year.

This bird initially was admitted to Specialized Care for Avian & Exotics on May 20 after being rescued along the shores of Lake Erie. Messinger Woods was contacted about the bird by the state Department of Environmental Conservation that afternoon.

Radiographs indicated the bird had a fractured humerus, which would require pin surgery. Messinger Woods volunteers transported to bird to Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Center at Cornell University in Ithaca for surgery the next morning, May 21.

On June 25, Messinger Woods was told the pins had been removed and she was ready for the next phase of care with the hopes of eventual release. The volunteers again drove to Ithaca and retrieved the eagle, together with another one.

“This bird required a good nutritional diet, supportive care, weekly visits from our veterinarians and extensive flight therapy in our 165′ flight cage,” Messinger Woods stated in its press release about the bird. “They were in our care since June 30th!”

Messinger Woods wishes to thank its volunteers, its donors, Specialized Care for Avian & Exotic Pets and Cornell University for their help in the rescue.

Messinger Woods Wildlife Care & Education Center is a 501(c)3 organization run 100% by volunteers. It receives no state or federal funding and is supported by donations from concerned citizens and local businesses.

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