While bald eagles are no longer endangered, they do face the following threats in the state of Florida:
- Illegal shooting
- Lead poisoning
- Electrocution
- Wind turbines
- Habitat loss/competition
Pelican Harbor Seabird Station is a wildlife hospital that sometimes treats injured eagles. This is the story of one of these bald eagles.
“A juvenile Bald Eagle was admitted to Pelican Harbor Seabird Station after being found grounded in Miami Gardens, FL. The Eagle suffered from a fungal infection that was eating away at its beak and feet. It was thin and dehydrated from being unable to hunt due to the ailment. Samples of the fungus were sent out for testing. We treated the Bald Eagle with antifungal medications, lasered the infected areas with blue light, and scrubbed the areas with diluted iodine. We are unsure how this juvenile Bald Eagle contracted the fungal infection.”
If you wish to know more about PHSS you can visit their website at www.pelicanharbor.org.