BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center confirmed Wednesday the ailing bald eagle rescued from Saucon Park that later died in quarantine tested positive for bird flu.
For more than eight years, the mature mother bird was known to nest alongside the same mate in a tower along an old railroad bed near the border of Bethlehem and Hellertown.
To offer the eagle’s mate some closure, Susan Downing, co-executive director with the Stroudsburg-area nonprofit wildlife hospital, said her team took the bird back to the site the day after her death, resting her for a bit near the nest tower.
Downing said this is a common practice when one eagle of a mated couple dies, and can potentially help their partner bird find a new mate quicker — a process that can take six months to a year.
Confirmation of bird flu came during a necropsy on the bird, Downing said. With bird flu also now detected within just miles of the Stroudsburg area facility, Downing said her team is busy as ever.
The center has canceled its next two months of educational programming and quarantined the center’s ambassador animals.
Unable to fly at Saucon Park 2 weeks ago
The mature eagle, found to be gravid with one egg, was recovered by Pocono Wildlife and the state Game Commission on Feb. 13 and quarantined, following reports of her grounding and inability to fly.
“We quarantine every animal that comes in because it’s just not worth it not to, and have them observed and make sure they’re healthy, especially with [bird flu] right in our back door. It’s just not worth the risk.”Susan Downing, co-executive director with Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center
Initially showing symptoms of bird flu but testing negative early on, the eagle was set for a 10-day quarantine at the Wilderz at Pocono Wildlife in Hamilton Township, Monroe County, before dying on Feb. 14.
This makes for four birds that recently came back negative for avian flu during field testing, but were later confirmed to have the viral infection during necropsy, Downing said.
'Disgruntled and flummoxed'
The Pocono Wildlife team is “disgruntled and flummoxed,” Downing said, and is contacting the manufacturer of the field testing kits to see what can be done moving forward.
The wildlife center has quarantine rooms designated for both symptomatic and asymptomatic birds.
“We quarantine every animal that comes in because it’s just not worth it not to, and have them observed and make sure they’re healthy, especially with [bird flu] right in our back door,” Downing said. “It’s just not worth the risk.”
She said a 10% bleach-90% water solution will help to keep you and yours safe from the bird flu.
"If you’re going to go walking with your dog in the woods or in the park, and it’s a known area of Canada geese and snow geese and swans, just be smart when you come back home. Wipe your shoes down with that bleach solution; don’t wear them into the house."Susan Downing, co-executive director with Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center
“Just be really careful,” Downing said. “If you’re going to go walking with your dog in the woods or in the park, and it’s a known area of Canada geese and snow geese and swans, just be smart when you come back home.
“Wipe your shoes down with that bleach solution; don’t wear them into the house. Wipe them down, put them aside, and within a couple hours, everything will be fine.”
Be sure to wipe down pet paws, too, Downing said — this time, avoid the bleach and use something pet-friendly.
As for Downing’s team, they utilize personal protective equipment when necessary, including when entering any animal enclosure on site: “It looks like what people wear going into surgery.”
Reporting potential cases of bird flu
If you encounter a sick or dead wild bird, don't attempt to handle them, the center says.
Also, keep pets away from bird droppings, especially those of waterfowl.
Report the animals to the state Game Commission at 833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453), or email pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov.
Come across a sick or dead domestic bird? Call the state Department of Agriculture at 717-772-2852.
