Ozzie the Bald Eagle Has Died

One half of Florida’s famous bald eagle couple has died.

The folks at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife in Sanibel announced Ozzie’s death Wednesday morning. The eagle and his mate Harriet were made internet stars courtesy of the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam.

“Ozzie passed away last night at CROW due to complications from his recent injuries that included multiple severe lacerations and a broken toe in each foot,” CROW announced on its Facebook page.

The eagle was brought to the clinic for the second time in recent weeks on Sunday after being found injured in a North Fort Myers backyard, the agency wrote. “He arrived at CROW late at night in critical condition, unable to stand and fighting septicemia (a bacterial blood infection),” CROW noted.

The injuries are believed to have stemmed from a fight with another bald eagle. That encounter was captured on the eagle cam. It has also been reported the bird had a nasty run-in with barbwire.

Ozzie and Harriet are said to have begun nesting in the Fort Myers area early in the 1990s. The two are believed to be about 25 years old. The average lifespan for a bald eagle in the wild is about 28 years, according to National Geographic.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support and unwavering belief in CROW during Ozzie’s rehabilitation and recent stay,” the Facebook post stated. “Your endless words of encouragement carried the CROW staff through challenging times.”

“It was a gift to observe his and Harriet’s bond over the last three seasons and we will remember his dedication, commitment and love for many years to come,” the folks behind the eagle cam wrote on Facebook Wednesday. “Fly high and free Ozzie.”

The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study at the University of Georgia will perform a necropsy on Ozzie, CROW reported.

Andy Pritchett of Dick Pritchett Real Estate, the company that has kept the eagle cam going, told Patch news of Ozzie’s death has saddened the firm.

“We know CROW did everything they could,” Pritchett said. “It’s going to be tough to see them without each other.”

The eagle cam has been operational for about three years, chronicling the lives of the famous birds online for all to see.

Photo credit: Ozzie courtesy of Southwest Florida Eagle Cam