Bald Eagle Caretakers 1 Step Closer To Diagnosis In Morris Co.

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A bird rehab center in Morris County has released another update on the bald eagle under its care, and a cause for the eagle’s health issues may have been discovered.

Two weeks ago, The Raptor Trust, based in Long Hill Township, took in a bald eagle that was pulled from the Hudson River by the New York Police Department’s Harbor Patrol Unit.

Raptor Trust representatives said the bird was in “very serious condition” when they took it in, and conducted a series of X-rays, blood analyses, and other diagnostics to learn how to stabilize it.

An update a week later said the eagle was "still weak, having trouble keeping food down," and had elevated liver numbers in its bloodwork, prompting concern.

On Tuesday, however, Raptor Trust officials said the bird's concerning liver numbers have dropped "considerably."

"The eagle is more alert, eating on its own, keeping food down (it wasn’t when it first arrived), gaining strength, and has been moved out of critical care to a larger, outdoor enclosure," experts said.

Experts suspect due to the bird's high white blood cell count, it is likely fighting off "some infection or toxicity of some kind."

They tested the eagle for lead poisoning, which they say is common in bald eagles, but results turned up negative." Still, it does not rule out some sort of poisoning or infection.

A more in-depth blood panel on the eagle is underway, testing for other toxins and heavy metals.

It will continue to be under close watch as it gains strength, and the Raptor Trust is "cautiously optimistic that we have seen some improvement."