Eagle released back in wild
BY ALTHEA PETERSON World Staff Writer
Monday, February 25, 2008
The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma treats a bird that
had been shot, and later chewed by dogs.
MANNFORD -- Victor Roubidoux never names his eagles that
will one day leave the aviary.
The birds are just too cute with
their unique personalities and the
way they interact with other eagles.
"We would get pretty attached to
them otherwise," he admits.
Thus, the 4-1/2-year-old Southern
bald eagle released by the Iowa
Tribe of Oklahoma on Sunday at
Keystone Dam remained nameless,
but still close to many people's
hearts. The release site, a few miles
from the bird's original habitat,
drew about two dozen observers.
"We did our job today," said
Roubidoux, who is the tribe's wildlife manager. "It's all about getting
that bird back out there."
The release marks the second eagle treated and nursed back to
health at the tribe's aviary near Perkins, and released into the wild.
This particular eagle late last year
had been shot, chewed by dogs and
in need of immediate care, said
Gary Siftar, wildlife rehabilitator.
While stitches, feeding and medicine helped the eagle recover, Siftar
said he is concerned about why the
eagle was injured in the first place.
"A third of the eagles we get had
been shot," he said. "It's very unfortunate. It seems a lot of people don't
value wildlife the way we do."
Part of the Iowa's beliefs is that
eagles were one of the first to see the face of the Creator, Roubidoux said. This is why it is important to the tribe to take
care of them, he said.
"I'd be afraid that if they'd
shoot an eagle, they'd also
shoot a person," he said. "Eagles have done so much for
us over the years. It's our turn
to help them."
The eagle is a symbol of
freedom for the entire country, said Pam Cabbiness, 55,
of Cushing. She said it was a
memorable moment to watch
the eagle soar across the Arkansas River upon release.
"Eagles, as far as I'm concerns, are a large symbol of
where we come from," she
said. "They (the Iowa Tribe)
have a wonderful aviary and
have a wonderful endeavor."
Sensing its own freedom
before release, the eagle even
seemed to want to fly before
Roubidoux let it go. Fortunately, Roubidoux said it was
only a peck from its beak and
not a scratch from the eagle's
powerful talons.
"He was ready to go, and he
wanted to take off early," he
said.
The tribe hopes to release
another eagle by March.
Althea Peterson 581-8361
althea.peterson@tulsaworld.com
EAGLE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma
became the first tribe to be
federally permitted as eagle rehabilitators.
- The first eagle released in
June 2006 was at the Sequoyah
National Wildlife Refuge.
- The tribe has an eagle aviary,
the Grey Snow Eagle
House, open for public view upon
reservation near Perkins.
- To schedule a visit to the
aviary to view and learn more
about rehabilitated eagles, call
(405) 747-9725.
- To contribute to the Iowa
Tribe’s aviary fund or to learn
more about the eagle rehabilitation
and release program, go to
www.tulsaworld.com/iowaeagles.
Associated Images:
Victor Roubidoux, wildlife manager for the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, releases a Southern bald eagle on Sunday at Keystone Dam. The bird, which
was found shot late last year, was treated at the tribe’s aviary.
Victor Roubidoux, wildlife manager for the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, releases a Southern bald eagle on Sunday at Keystone Dam. The bird, which
was found shot late last year, was treated at the tribe’s aviary.
A rehabilitated Southern bald eagle flies over the Arkansas River after being released at
Keystone Dam on Sunday.
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