July 9, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Catherine M. Cushing, PR Manager
651.565.4989
Chatting loudly, stretching his wings, splashing around in his tub… the latest edition to the National Eagle Center’s eagles is a delightful, childlike departure from his mature mew mates. As the first male Bald Eagle at the National Eagle Center, Was’aka’s transition to maturity will be an exceptional comparative study. His Florida upbringing makes him much smaller than his northern counterparts. He is fully grown at approximately 6 pounds; whereas the female Bald Eagles rescued from this area weigh in at approximately 10 pounds. Like all of the eagles living here, Was’aka suffered serious damage.
Was’aka (pronounced Wash ‘a ka) meaning strength in the Dakota language, came into captivity March, 2007 (at a fledgling age); the rehabilitator removed a tumor and his lower left eyelid. He is blind in that eye and release back into the wild was therefore not an option. The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Florida received Was‘aka in December, 2008, and identified him as “a less than 2 year old bird.” His feather, eye and beak coloration, along with previous medical exams suggest he is around three years of age.
Was’aka came to the National Eagle Center on April 28, 2009. After the commotion of new falconry gear and a post-flight exam, he settled into his isolation mew well. After a few days acclimating to his new surroundings, Bridget Befort, Education Specialist, and Jeff Worrell, Executive Director and Master Falconer, went to work training Was’aka for life here at the Center. Though Was’aka is blind in the left eye, he is able to fly. This makes for a new training experience for many of our staff and will be an exciting addition to our education programs.
Was’aka has come a long way in the few months he has been here. He has graduated from the isolation mews and has joined the other eagles inside the Center. A non-scientific evaluation of this young raptor would state: he’s outgoing, rambunctious, eager to learn and a bit annoying to his teenage-like companions. The beautiful, majestic Angel, who has been with us since Was’aka’s age, can often be heard vocalizing to him in a way that can be described only as scolding. In the near future, the center can introduce Was’aka as one of our Educational Ambassadors and he will participate in both in-house and outreach Educational Programs. For now, guests can view him and see his distinctive characteristics first hand in the mews and during training sessions.
For more information on Was’aka, the three female Bald Eagle and male Golden Eagle visit us at www.nationaleaglecenter.org or call 651.565.4989.
