Quote:
Originally Posted by FoPAA
I am so, so sorry to tell you this news:
Norfolk Botanical Garden:
This morning an adult bald eagle was struck and killed by an incoming airplane at Norfolk International Airport. It is believed that this bird was the female of the nesting pair from Norfolk Botanical Garden (NBG). The strike occurred sometime between 8:30 and 8:50 a.m. These eagles were well known through the Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle Cam provided by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), Norfolk Botanical Garden, and WVEC, and have been at NBG since 2003.
According to Stephen Living, VDGIF biologist, and Reese Lukei, a research associate with the Center for Conservation Biology (CCB), “We are fairly certain that this is the Norfolk Botanical Garden female eagle due to her physical characteristics, size and the fact that she has not been seen at the nest since the strike.”
This year the pair of eagles has produced three chicks at that nest site. Biologists with the VDGIF, CCB, and the staff at NBG will continue to monitor the nest and are working to ensure the health of the eaglets.
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I have been watching these eagles and their offspring for two seasons. I usually log on to the website every morning but missed it this morning because I'm very busy right now in Canada getting relocated to Lagoon City, Ontario.
What a shock. I cried when I read FoPAA's post. I feel very connected to this pair of eagles and their offspring. Sadly, the dad can't hunt and protect the nest at the same time. I have my fingers crossed that the eaglets will be safe. I wonder if the biologists will get involved if the eaglets aren't getting enough food.
This particular female eagle who is missing and presumed dead lost her first mate to a plane mishap. Then she remated with this male eagle, and they've been raising families together every year.
I know there are wars and other terrible things going on in the world, and atrocities being committed. But still, I'm sad that momma eagle won't be coming back to the nest.