Bald eagle injured by gunshot to beak receives care in Missouri with hope for recovery

A bald eagle in Missouri is on the road to recovery after being the victim of a shooting, a sadly common occurrence for America’s iconic national bird and other raptors. The male eagle was discovered injured in central Missouri on July 11 and was brought to the World Bird Sanctuary in suburban St. Louis by a sanctuary volunteer.

The eagle, identified as No. 24-390 as it is the 390th injured bird treated at the sanctuary this year, had undergone three surgeries to address its injuries, including a severely damaged beak due to a bullet, an injured left wing, and lead poisoning. Despite the challenges, the eagle is showing signs of healing, with suture sites from previous surgeries and jaw fractures from the bullet force healing well.

The eagle has undergone multiple surgeries, with another procedure likely in early September. The recovery process will be lengthy, with months, possibly even a year of care needed before the eagle could potentially be released back into the wild. The sanctuary’s executive director, Roger Holloway, expressed cautious optimism about the eagle’s progress, noting its improved health and feisty behavior.

Unfortunately, this eagle is one of six raptors treated for gunshot wounds this summer at the sanctuary, with a noticeable increase in shooting injuries to these majestic birds. Bald and golden eagles, symbols of the United States and revered by Native Americans, are protected by U.S. law, making it illegal to harm them without a permit.

The recovery and protection of these birds have been ongoing efforts. While once on the brink of extinction due to habitat destruction and hunting, the bald eagle population has rebounded thanks to conservation efforts. Missouri has seen a significant increase in bald eagle nests, indicating a positive trend in their population, despite the rise in shootings.

Experts attribute many of the shootings to a mix of ignorance and irresponsibility, with some individuals unaware of the laws protecting these birds or simply shooting at them out of boredom. The sanctuary director emphasized the need for education and awareness to prevent such senseless acts and protect these important and revered bird species.