Bald eagle dies in Virginia

By Martin Weil,

Despite efforts to save it, an ailing bald eagle died this week after being found on the ground in Northern Virginia.

The eagle died Thursday at the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro, where he was taken for treatment after being found Tuesday in Prince William County, said Edward E. Clark, president and founder of the center.

Clark said the bird was found along Route 234 in the Manassas area.

The eagle was “obviously quite ill” on arrival at the center, Clark said. He said it was transferred to the center from the veterinary clinic in Fairfax County where it was first taken.

Miranda Sadar, a veterinarian at the center, said that she is awaiting full test results but that the bird was apparently suffering from chronic lead poisoning. She said it may have eaten the discarded entrails of animals that had been hunted with ammunition that contained lead.

Another eagle that tested positive for lead died at the center after being found unable to fly Dec. 29 in Fauquier County, the center said.