Injured Bensalem Bald Eagle On The Mend

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —They call her Edith. She's 18. And she hopes to return home soon.

Edith is the bald eagle who has been under the care of the Aark Wildlife and Rehabilitation Center in Chalfont ever since she was struck by a vehicle in Bensalem Township about a month ago.

"I am so happy to report that the Bensalem Eagle (who we call Edith) is doing very well," Leah Stallings, the center's executive director told Patch Tuesday. "She is flying and eating and generally happy."

In late September, Bensalem Township Police's animal control officer responded to the report of an injured bird near The Courtyards of Bensalem apartment complex. It turned out to be a bald eagle.

The bird was taken to the rehab center where Stallings said after an examination by a veterinarian, Edith was radiographed and it appeared there were some lead fragments in her gastro-intestinal tract although she had no real symptoms of lead poisoning.

"Blood was drawn and sent to the lab and we began treatment for lead poisoning under that assumption," Stallings said. "Thankfully, after a week of treatment, the bloodwork came back negative and we were able to move her to a large flight pen for the final stages of recovery from her injuries due to the vehicle strike."

Stallings said, though, that Edith has an injured left foot that is taking some time to heal properly and will remain in the center's care for a few more weeks.

She said that eagle rehabilitation is very expensive and the center is "very appreciative of the many people who wish to donate" for Edith's care.

Stallings said that Edith was banded as a nestling in Fort Dix, N.J. in 2008.

She said that an eagle's life span in the wild is between 15 and 20 years, "so we are taking our time with our 18-year-old girl."

"It is my hope that she will be back in Bensalem and with her mate soon," Stallings said.