An eaglet rescued in late February from a nest after its mother was killed in north Harris County is being treated in San Antonio until it can be released back into the wild.
The bird is being cared for by Last Chance Forever, a conservancy for birds of prey.
John Karger, founder of Last Chance Forever, said to minimize the bird’s contact with humans and increase its chance of eventually surviving in the wild, rescuers are using a puppet that resembles the head of an adult bald eagle during feeding. They are searching for a surrogate eagle to teach the fledgling to fly and hunt, according to news reports.
Karger said the rehab could take about six months and the bird would not be released near its former territory in Houston because related eagles might consider it a threat or at least a competitor.
On Feb. 22, an American bald eagle was shot near White Oak Bayou. The eagle was one of two adult eagles that have actively nested in the area for several years.
Texas game wardens have charged a 17-year-old Harris County teen in connection with the shooting death of the bald eagle.
The teenager is accused of fatally shooting the eagle, a state threatened species, several times with a high-powered air rifle from its nest. He was booked into the Harris County Jail on a Class A misdemeanor violation for hunting without landowner consent. The charge carries a possible fine of $500-$4,000 and/or up to a one year state jail term.
Game wardens issued the teenager an additional citation for the take of a state threatened species, a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $25-$500, and civil restitution for the eagle in an amount to be determined exceeding $10,000.
On the morning of Feb. 23, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Center Point Energy, Harris County Flood Control District, and The Wildlife Center of Texas undertook a rescue effort to recover any eaglets that might be in the nest.
Center Point Energy provided foresters capable of climbing the 100-plus-foot tree to gather any eaglets and bring them down to safety. Once at the nest, the forester observed one eaglet sitting quietly in the nest. He carefully removed the bird and carried it safely down the ladder.
The 5- to 6-week-old eaglet was immediately taken to The Wildlife Center of Texas where a preliminary examination indicated that the eaglet was dehydrated and had not recently been fed. The eaglet was given fluids and fed and remained at the Center overnight.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service transported the eaglet to San Antonio for continued care.