Staffers aid in bald eagle release at Newnan’s Lake
University of Florida Veterinary Hospital staffers helped release a female juvenile bald eagle back into the wild at Newnan’s Lake on July 16.
The eagle, named Roosevelt, was brought to UF on March 18 and was treated for approximately two months at UF’s Small Animal Hospital after being found unable to fly. She subsequently underwent rehabilitation at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland. When she was deemed to be ready, Audubon representatives drove Roosevelt back to Gainesville, where she was successfully released back to her original environment. (Photos by Mindy Miller, UF Health)
- Less than an hour before her release back into the wild, Roosevelt, an American bald eagle, waits patiently inside her carrier.
- Jordyn Sthay, Hollie Chiles and Stacy Lopez load Roosevelt’s carrier into the van to head for the release site.
- Jordyn Sthay and Hollie Chiles carry Roosevelt’s carrier to the release site at Newnan’s Lake.
- Roosevelt is carefully removed from her carrier at the release site.
- Preparing for release.
- Roosevelt wearing her hood prior to release. The hood helps raptors to stay calm and is used for safe restraint and transport.
- Hollie Chiles prepares to remove the hood from Roosevelt’s head. The hood was used to keep Roosevelt calm during transport to Newnan’s Lake.
- Jordyn Sthay holds Roosevelt after Hollie Chiles gently removes the hood from the bird’s head.
- Jordan Sthay tosses Roosevelt into the air, releasing her back into the wild.
- Roosevelt begins to takes flight.
- Roosevelt spreads her wings as she returns to the wild.
- Jordyn Sthay, Hollie Chiles and Danielle Jonas celebrate another successful release.