PRESS ROOM

ROYAL OAK, Mich., 

A male bald eagle from southern Indiana is in his permanent habitat at the Detroit Zoo after recovering from an injury that prevented him from being released back into the wild. One of the bird’s wings was severely damaged, presumably after he flew into a power line, and had to be amputated.

Named Mr. America by the Vincennes, Ind., licensed rehabber who cared for him, the eagle arrived at the Detroit Zoo in mid-November and spent several weeks in quarantine at the Ruth Roby Glancy Animal Health Complex. He joins another rescued male bald eagle, Flash, in their American Grasslands habitat overlooking Pierson Lake.  Flash arrived from Alaska’s Kodiak Island in 2009 after suffering a wing injury that prevented his release back into the wild.

“We’re happy to offer sanctuary to another rescued, non-releasable eagle and provide him expert care and a great place to live,” said Scott Carter, chief life sciences officer for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS).

Mr. America is estimated to be between 5 and 6 years old and, at just 6 pounds, is considered small for his species. Mature eagles typically weigh 10 to 15 pounds and have a wingspan of 6 to 8 feet.

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) earns its name from the Old English word “balde”, meaning white, referencing the distinctive white feathers covering its head and tail.

The DZS has a long history of rescuing wildlife, and frequently provides sanctuary to exotic animals that are injured, abandoned, surrendered or confiscated.