Bald Eagle Killed By Rodent Poison In Arlington

ARLINGTON, MA — A bald eagle known to be native to the town has died as a result of ingesting poison intended for rodents.

“Fae” is the third Arlington bald eagle who died as a result of Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides since 2021, according to advocacy group Save Arlington Wildlife. SGARs are long-lasting toxic poisons targeted toward rats and other rodents that cause fatal internal bleeding. They are known for remaining in the system of any organism who ingests it, creating a high probability for secondary poisoning. Fae was found dead near its nest and an autopsy by Tufts University’s Wildlife Clinic at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine confirmed the cause of death.

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Veterinarians at Tufts Wildlife Clinic performed a post-mortem examination of the eagle and collected samples for toxicologic analysis and highly pathogenic avian influenza testing. The eagle was negative for HPAI.” Clinic Director Dr. Maureen Murray said in a statement. “Analysis of liver tissue was positive for three second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides. These results, along with the presence of significant hemorrhage in the absence of evidence of traumatic injury on the post-mortem examination, support a diagnosis of anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis as the cause of death in this eagle.”

The use of SGARs on town-owned land is currently banned, however an Article on this year’s Town Meeting Warrant is about the possibility of banning First Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides entirely. FGARs differ from SGARs as they are less potent and typically require more than one dose to become fatal. If passed, Article 32 will vote to submit a Home Rule petition to the state legislature requesting permission for the town to ban the use of the poison.

Save Arlington Wildlife is an advocacy group whose mission is to protect local endangered animals such as eagles. It was founded by resident Laura Kiesel, who also was a driving force behind the town meeting warrant article to ban FGARs. Save Arlington Wildlife established its brand in 2023.

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