Phoenix, the eaglet that (literally) rose from the ashes.

3-19-13

Those who are following ‘Phoenix’ will be happy to know that the young eagle is doing well.  His caretakers are waiting for Phoenix to moult and get a new set of feathers.  Once Phoenix has a brand new set of feathers, to replace the burned ones, then flight training will begin.  From there, we will have to see about Phoenix’s temperment and hunting skills to determine if he is releaseable.

M. Scott Echols, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice)

11-9-12

For those of you following the story of Phoenix the golden eagle burned in the fires of Utah this past summer, here is a quick update from Ray
“Buz” Marthaler (wildlife rehabilitator working with Phoenix):

‘Phoenix is doing great—eating whole foods (Rat, quail) and venison on his own. Beak and talons are still on the mend but look great considering.

We are planning an event (probably this month) that will require you and/or Dr Folland to take part in—we’ve not yet discussed this with Dr F. We have someone coming from out of state to help us imp all of his flight feathers (tail and both wings).

Our reasoning for this is that as he moults and new blood feathers start to come in he has nothing to protect the new feathers and will risk a higher than normal chance of damaging them before they fully mature. Also, we believe that getting him outside in a mews is best for his psychological & physical health and the added feathers along with some supplemental heat will help keep him comfortable.’

Imping is the process of grafting in a complete feather into the shaft of a broken feather.  This is commonly done in birds of prey to either enable the bird to fly or, in the case of Pheonix, protect new emerging pin feathers.  Without the protection of surrounding normal stiff mature feathers, emerging ‘pin’ feathers are at risk of breaking until they harden.

Keep tuned for updates….

M. Scott Echols, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice)

8-2-12

Pheonix the eaglet is still recovering from his burn wounds….

Two days ago, I saw Pheonix for a recheck.  Overall, Phoenix is doing great.  Most of the foot wounds have healed and he is taking is medications well
and eating great.

However, he has lost the outside hard (think of your fingernail) covering on the lower beak and is losing the same on his upper beak.  Additionally, one of his toe nails is split with the pulp exposed which is very painful.  So we trimmed back the dead beak layers and removed the exposed tissue from his split toe nail.  See the pictures below:

While this is not good, Pheonix can recover and grow a new covering on his beak and of course, a new nail.  It will just take  more time and close attention to detail to make sure he heals well.

I have worked with countless birds including raptors (hawks, eagles, falcons, etc) and I can say that Pheonix is a real fighter and has a strong will to live.  Once all of his wounds have healed, he will need to be kept for possibly up to a year.  Pheonix will have to moult all of his burnt feathers and learn to hunt proficiently before he can be released back to the wild.

This of course takes dedicated human-power and money to care for Phoenix.  To give you an idea of costs, here is what
Phoenix needs:

Medications:
approximately $ 10/day

Dedicated Flight Mew: approximately $ 5000-6000 for materials only

To make donations, go to www.WRCNU.org.  All income to run the WRCNU facilities and programs comes from private donations.
No federal funding is available as is typical of wildlife rescue organizations in Utah.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact DaLyn at WRCNU.

Thank you for your interest in the story and I will keep you updated!

M. Scott Echols, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice)

7-17-12

As an avian veterinarian traveling and working around the country, I have been fortunate to work with some incredible people and amazing animals.

Last week, I had the opportunity to work with ‘Phoenix’ a juvenile golden eagle that survived a wildfire near Salt Lake City, Utah. However, it is not simply the fact that the baby survived, but how he did it…..

The golden eagle’s nest was well known and the baby (prior to being known as Phoenix) had been identified and leg banded by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. This baby’s life suddenly changed when an out of control wildfire, started by target shooters, ravaged 5,500 acres including the eagle’s nest.

When a volunteer returned to check on the eagles after the fire had moved through the region, the nest was gone but the baby was found alive, burnt and huddled under a charred juniper tree over 40 feet below the nest location. Not only was the bird alive but the eagle’s parents had left a rabbit, food for the young bird, in an attempt to save their baby. Due to the extensive burns, the baby was not able to eat. After it was determined the baby could not survive, even with the parent’s help, the eaglet was taken to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah (WRCNU). This baby eagle survived the fire, second and third degree burns, starvation and dehydration for 6 days!

Under the care of wildlife specialist DaLyn Erickson, Buz Marthaler and the dedicated WRCNU staff, already overwhelmed with hundreds of orphaned native baby animals, the young eagle was named Phoenix and intense burn wound management began. All of the primary feathers, remiges [wing] and retrices [tail] were missing, burnt down to the shaft or melted showing the intense heat experienced. The feet had second and third degree burns explaining why this bird could not eat (golden eagles use their feet to hold down prey and use their beak to tear out bits of food). The bare facial skin also had second degree burns and about 25% of the coverts we singed or missing.

These pictures show Phoenix’s burned feathers and foot wounds:

Phoenix’s burned feet

Pheonix with burned wings

Just for comparison, here are pictures of a normal golden eaglet (3 months old):

A healthy foot from a normal golden eagle chick

For comparison, a normal golden eagle similar in age to Phoenix

The story made national news and aired July 9, 2012: http://www.abc4.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=3602864

So how is Phoenix doing???? Well, I just took a look at him today. Pheonix is eating like a champ, has about the worst attitude possible (which is great for a wild eaglet) and his burn wounds are healing nicely! Below are his 1 week checkup pictures (roughly 2 weeks after the initial burn injuries):

2 weeks after severe burn wounds, Phoenix is improving

Phoenix still has a ways to go before he can be released. First, all of his wounds must be completely healed (which I suspect will happen within the next 3-4 weeks). Second, he must moult and get an entirely new set of feathers prior to flying (this will take about 1 year). Third, he must be trained how to hunt and catch food- which can only begin after he regrows new feathers and learns to fly.

As you can imagine, the Phoenix’s medical and long term care is, and will be, quite expensive. WRCNU needs your help! Phoenix’s care comes on top of their current workload of about 450 native orphaned and injured animals. Through Parrish Creek Veterinary Clinic, I work closely with WRCNU and am asking you to help by providing donations. Additionally, WRCNU is in need of volunteers!

To make donations, go to www.WRCNU.org. All income to run the WRCNU facilities and programs comes from private donations. No federal funding is available as is typical of wildlife rescue organizations in Utah. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact DaLyn at WRCNU.

Thank you for your interest in the story and any help you can offer! M. Scott Echols, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice)