Bald eagles found with symptoms of poisoning in Cowichan Valley

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COWICHAN VALLEY, B.C. (NEWS 1130) – Twelve bald eagles have been found in the Cowichan Valley this week exhibiting signs of poisoning.

Robyn Radcliffe, Executive Director of The Raptor Rescue Society, says the agency received two calls from locals who had found eagles on the morning of January 16th, and during an extensive search in the days following, found ten more.

“We weren’t entirely sure what was going on,” she says.

WATCH: A bald eagle exhibits symptoms of poisoning in the Cowinchan Valley

The animals were transported to a vet and were given activated charcoal and intravenous fluids after being assessed. Six have survived and Radcliffe is hopeful they will recover.

She suspects the birds may have been feeding on a farm animal that had been put down and not disposed of properly. Euthanized animals are usually buried at least six feet deep underground.

“Conservation officers are investigating and hopefully will be able to identify the source,” Radcliffe says, and adds that she doesn’t believe the incident was intentional.

The area has a high density of bald eagles, and Radcliffe says the eagle population won’t necessarily be dramatically affected.

“We do expect that there are a few more eagles out there, whether we will find them is yet to be seen,” she says.

The Raptor Rescue Society is asking residents of the Cowichan Valley to look for sleepy, “drunken” or dead eagles and to call 778-936-0732.

 

 

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