Vet too quick to euthanize eagle

I felt I had to write regarding the story “Eagle dies after being pulled from Puget Sound.” First off I really feel the headline was misleading. This eagle did not die, but was killed (euthanized).

The details were sketchy but a simple dislocated wing joint is definitely not a reason to euthanize an eagle. Without more details, it’s hard to understand why Dr. Anderson did not contact a more appropriate rescue group to take over this eagle’s care if he was unable. Even without possibility of flight, eagles can be used as “Ambassadors of the Wild,” as foster parents to orphaned eaglets or living educational tools.  This bird might have been a good candidate, especially in light of the stated fact that this bird allowed people to get close and handle it, even when injured and in pain.

I have long been aware of Dr. Anderson’s Wildlife Care Clinic in Oak Harbor. When I first arrived in Oak Harbor over 20 years ago, I took wild animals I found to Dr. Anderson’s clinic for what I believed would be caring concern. The two animals I actually left there were euthanized. Another I took there but did not to leave, since I was told it would be euthanized.

Dr Anderson needs to update his Wildlife Care Clinic website and pictures. The site  states he  repaired an eagle with “two fractures in his wing” back in 2005. Why was he not able to help in this case when a wing was only “dislocated”?

This outcome is very disappointing to me. I expect it is very disheartening to the kind-hearted boaters and the park ranger trying to help this bird, the symbol of our great country.

Victoria Baird
Oak Harbor

 

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