An injured eagle discovered by Juneau residents and a 2-year-old Giant Schnauzer near Kaxdegoowu Heen Dei (Brotherhood Bridge) Trail was released back into the wild on Saturday in Sitka. (Courtesy Photo | Juneau Raptor Center)

An injured eagle discovered by Juneau residents and a 2-year-old Giant Schnauzer near Kaxdegoowu Heen Dei (Brotherhood Bridge) Trail was released back into the wild on Saturday in Sitka. (Courtesy Photo | Juneau Raptor Center)

Rescued bald eagle released to brood young

Bird’s release was fast-tracked because of likelihood of offspring

The Alaska Raptor Center said Tuesday that the bald eagle rescued last month in Juneau by two cyclists and a dog has been released into the wild.

The bird hospital in Sitka, which received the raptor last Wednesday, said the bird returned to full health on Friday and was returned to nature in Sitka the very next day. The original plan was to fly the bird back to Juneau, but flights on Saturday were canceled due to fog.

“We decided to release the bird here because we figure he will find his way back to Juneau probably faster than the fog cleared,” Jennifer Cedarleaf, the center’s avian director, said.

There was a strong likelihood the eagle was caring for young eaglets back home, according to Cedarleaf, which fast-tracked the release. The eagle contained a small area of feather-free skin on its belly known as a brood patch, which is used to keep eggs warm during the incubation period.

“So because it takes both the male and the female to raise the chicks, there was a high likelihood that the chicks weren’t going to survive with only one parent,” Cedarleaf said. “So we wanted to get this bird back out there as fast as we could.”

The raptor rehabilitation received the bird last Wednesday less than 24 hours after its discovery by Ian Martin, Dylan Martin and a Giant Schnauzer named Elliot near Kaxdegoowu Heen Dei (Brotherhood Bridge) Trail.

The Alaska Raptor Center found the bird’s bones were all intact, and after some time in the ICU, they moved the raptor into a small cage. Once given some space, the eagle quickly flew up to a high perch, signaling he was ready for his retreat to Juneau.

Cedarleaf speculated the eagle’s chest bruising could have been from an accidental grounding. Cedarleaf explained some eagles drive out other eagles from their territory by “tumbling” — locking feet with the other bird and taking it for a ride.

“They’ll just twirl around in a circle until one bird lets go and then they fly off,” Cedarleaf said. “Many times, one bird doesn’t let go in time and they’ll hit the ground and this could very much have been just a collision with the ground.”

Ian Martin said the rescue and recovery left him feeling good.

“At the end of the day, I feel a sense of accomplishment that we were able to give this guy a fighting chance, and it appears that he has made the most of it,” Martin told the Empire via email. “If we wouldn’t have found him, he would most certainly not be with us anymore.”


• Contact reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nainsworth@juneauempire.com.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Two flags with pro-life themes, including the lower one added this week to one that’s been up for more than a year, fly along with the U.S. and Alaska state flags at the Governor’s House on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Doublespeak: Dunleavy adds second flag proclaiming pro-life allegiance at Governor’s House

First flag that’s been up for more than a year joined by second, more declarative banner.

Students play trumpets at the first annual Jazz Fest in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Sandy Fortier)
Join the second annual Juneau Jazz Fest to beat the winter blues

Four-day music festival brings education of students and Southeast community together.

Frank Richards, president of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., speaks at a Jan. 6, 2025, news conference held in Anchorage by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy and Randy Ruaro, executive director of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, are standing behind RIchards. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
For fourth consecutive year, gas pipeline boss is Alaska’s top-paid public executive

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, had the highest compensation among state legislators after all got pay hike.

Juneau Assembly Member Maureen Hall (left) and Mayor Beth Weldon (center) talk to residents during a break in an Assembly meeting Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, about the establishment of a Local Improvement District that would require homeowners in the area to pay nearly $6,300 each for barriers to protect against glacial outburst floods. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Flood district plan charging property owners nearly $6,300 each gets unanimous OK from Assembly

117 objections filed for 466 properties in Mendenhall Valley deemed vulnerable to glacial floods.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, Jan. 31, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney gives the State of the University address in Juneau on Jan. 30, 2025. She highlighted the wide variety of educational and vocational programs as creating opportunities for students, and for industries to invest in workforce development and the future of Alaska’s economy. (Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
University of Alaska president highlights impact on workforce, research and economy in address

Pat Pitney also warns “headwinds” are coming with federal executive orders and potential budget cuts.

Most Read