We are excited to announce that Bald Eagle patient 22-635, who was rescued from Santa Cruz Island with zinc toxicosis on July 11, returned to the wild this week! Dr. Peter Sharpe, the Research Wildlife Ecologist for the Institute for Wildlife Studies released the eagle on private property on Hollister Ranch, California. The bird was unable to be released on the island for biosecurity reasons. Dr. Sharpe remarked that the habitat of the release site was similar to that where the eagle had been rescued on Fraser Point. Back in July, the young eagle had displayed signs of difficulty standing and balancing when Dr. Sharpe, who directs the bald eagle restoration and monitoring projects on Santa Catalina and Santa Cruz Islands, rescued the bird and brought the patient to Ojai Raptor Center for treatment. Under the care of ORC veterinarian Dr. Stephany Lewis, the eagle was tested for a variety of possible ailments including lead poisoning, spinal trauma, and infectious diseases. Suspecting heavy metal toxicosis based on the bird’s clinical signs. Dr. Lewis started the bird on chelation therapy before tests confirmed that the eagle was suffering from zinc poisoning. This action likely shortened the bird’s recovery time if not saved the patient’s life. Over the next few weeks the staff moved the patient to increasingly larger enclosures as the bird recovered. Once in our 230-foot-long flight aviary, (the largest rehabilitation aviary in California) the eagle’s flight gained strength quickly. After a few weeks in this flight Dr. Lewis rechecked zinc levels which were found to be within normal range, performed full ophthalmic and physical exams, and determined the patient was ready to return to the wild. Ojai Raptor Center is grateful for all the support we have received for this special patient, from those who have donated to support the eagle’s care, to the fishers who provided fish, to the kind words of encouragement we have received. #FreedomFriday #BaldEagle #Eagle #WildlifeRehabilitation Cover photo by Lizzy Chouinard