Fish eagle gets second chance
KYALAMI – Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital save African fish eagle.
An African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) was given a second chance in life by Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital after apparently being involved in a territorial battle with another fish eagle.
According to the hospital’s wildlife rehabilitation specialist Nicci Wright, a larger fish eagle was seen attacking the smaller bird which resulted in injuries to its head. “Both fish eagles fell into the Vaal Dam where they eventually separated and the dominant larger fish eagle flew away,” she said.
“The wounded eagle couldn’t fly and got stuck in some nearby reeds and was retrieved by a couple who witnessed the entire scene.”
Wright explained that upon admission, they examined the eagle’s wounds, finding that puncture wounds had penetrated his sinus cavities. “We then attended to the wounds, hydrated the eagle and started him on a course of antibiotics.”
She added that when the eagle had recuperated, he was ringed with a Safring and was successfully released.
