Healed crowned eagle released

A SMALL audience of rescuers and carers shared a moment of joy recently as a magnificent eagle spread its wings and took to the skies.

The bird, an adult crowned eagle, was rescued by Umtentweni residents George and Marie Pick after it had suffered two life-threatening misfortunes. First, it was hit by a car as it was about to take off from the road with a freshly caught hadeda – one of its favourite takeaways. Unconscious, it was found by a passerby, who was keen to take it home to eat.

Fortunately for the eagle, George and Marie arrived on the scene and, after money was exchanged, they managed to talk the man into relinquishing his find. They immediately contacted their neighbour Nico de Jong, an Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife honorary officer. He conferred with Alex Skene, a knowledgeable environmentalist and chairman of the Umtwentweni conservancy.

Alex contacted Ina de Koker, centre manager at the Crag’s View Wildcare Centre near Port Edward. Ina immediately agreed to take in the injured raptor and treated and rehabilitated it, although caring for a crowned eagle can be extremely dangerous. The crowned eagle is southern Africa’s heaviest and most powerful eagle. Fairly common in this area, it lives in forests, wooded areas alongside rivers – and even in the park-like grounds at San Lameer Estate.

After a few days it had fully recovered from the concussion it had sustained when it had been hit by the car. It was time to let it go, much to Ina’s relief.

“I used to say a little prayer every time I had to go into its enclosure,” she smiled.

As crowned eagles are very territorial, its carers decided to release the bird close to the area in which it had been found. They chose a safe spot near the Mzimkhulu river as the release site. Before it was released, local bird ringer Andrew Pickles arrived to ring the bird and to take scientific measurements. While he was ringing the bird Ina was able to point out just why she had been rather wary about her feathered patient.

Pointing out the birds massive talons, Ina described them as ‘killing machines’, explaining that crowned eagles could use their claws to crush a bushbuck’s spine. Andrew concurred as he gingerly worked at placing the ring around the bird’s leg while Ina kept its head covered to keep it calm.

“If those talons managed to encircle your lower arm the bird could crush the bones. Your lower arm would probably need to be amputated,” he said.

After the measuring and ringing session, Ina carried the eagle, still covered with a blanket, to a suitable open spot. When she lifted the blanket, the beautiful eagle hesitated for just a second before it reclaimed its freedom.

According to Ina and Andrew anyone who finds an injured raptor should avoid handling it as this could stress the bird and could prove dangerous. Instead, keep well away from its claws, cover its head with a cloth or blanket to keep it calm and telephone the wildlife centre at 071 555054.