OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A bald eagle first released into the wild back in 2016 in Winnebago County has been sighted again in Washington County. It’s big news for those who rehabilitated it.
The release of two young bald eagles near Little Lake Butte des Morts was six years ago, but some wildlife rehabilitators says they remember Jan. 4, 2016 like it was yesterday.
“They did what they were supposed to do, and flew off. Did you have high hopes for these two? I think I always do. Eagles are basically scavengers, so they’ll take whatever they can get,” said Don Baumgartner, The Feather Wildlife Rehab/Education Center volunteer.
Pat Fisher was there too. She has rehabilitated wildlife for decades, and says the birds were banded.
“Every bird has a story, and that band is the story. You can’t imagine the places those birds go, and what they do, and how they live. Only because of that band on that leg,” said Pat Fisher, The Feather Wildlife Rehab/Education Center owner.
And when a spectator from the eagle release updated a social media post, Fisher did the same. But she added a photo Matt Gotz sent her in September of 2021. He says he took the image of an adult eagle feeding on a deer carcass, and sent the band information to the U.S. Geological Survey, which confirmed the sighting. Gotz lives 75 miles away in Jackson, which is in Washington County.
“From where we released it, to where it made it to, or where it was seen, that’s probably an hour flight for them, So is it that far? Not really,” said Baumgartner.
Baumgartner says the bird looks good.
“It’s definitely a success story. Because with the band on it, we know that it’s made it since 2016. It’s still out there. Now, it’s an adult, and knows what it’s doing. It’s street smart,” he said.
Baumgartner says out of 25 eagle releases with The Feather, this is only the second time a bird was officially seen again. He says the other bird report involved an adult eagle, which was injured in a fight with another eagle, and did not survive.
