Park urges community due dilligence following eagle investigation | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kamloops News

Park urges community due dilligence following eagle investigation

The B.C. Wildlife Park is urging due dilligence after investigating the illness and death of multiple bald eagles last month.

The park's rehabilitation hospital investigated the matter after three sick eagles were brought to the park.

Tara Geiger, animal care supervisor at the park, said the birds came in displaying signs of lethargy and non-responsiveness conducive to toxic poisoning.

Park staff cleaned out the birds crops and removed food contents.

"We cleaned that all out, gave them fluids and supportive care, and within a few days we released them," Geiger said.

A fourth eagle was not so lucky.

"We ended up getting a carcass brought in from a similar area that was diseased already," Geiger said.

The investigation was completed last week and pentobarbital was found.

"Generally, pentobarbital is also called euthenal and is used to put animals down, to euthanize animals," Geiger said. "It's used generally in veterinary clinics."

Geiger said farms and acreage may also gain access.

"We're thinking it's possible that something was euthanized and improperly buried," she said.

The park is reminding ranchers to bury dead animals at least six feet down where they won't be recovered by animals that may feed on them.

"It's something people don't commonly think about,," Geiger said.

The park accepts injured and orphaned animals on an ongoing basis at its rehabilitation hospital.

Around 20 animals are housed there at the moment including Canada Geese goslings, Mallard ducklings, a moose calf, and an eagle.

"This is the start of our rehab season," Geiger said.

She said it gets busy beginning in May and throughout the summer months because more people are out noticing injured and orphaned animals.

"And also the fact that there's just more animal activity as well," she said.

Geiger said it's important for people to call the park before bringing an animal to the rehabilitation centre.

She said animals are often taken from their homes unnecessarily.

"Establish that connection with a rehab facility to determine for sure if it's orphaned or injured."

To contact a reporter for this story, email: jwallace@infotelnews.ca or call (250) 319-7494.

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