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Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine
released a 2 year-old bald eagle back to the wild in the Asotin
Creek drainage on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
“Maverick” came to WSU’s veterinary college almost a year ago after
being found unable to fly near Winthrop, Wash. The bird had many
missing and broken flight and tail feathers but otherwise was
healthy. WSU’s veterinary college has done little for the eagle
other than to provide secure housing until he could molt again to
bring in new feathers.
Maverick was housed in the university’s recently refurbished turkey
facility. Poultry production programs were discontinued at WSU many
years ago and the building had sat mostly idle until private
donations brought it new life. Generous donations from Potlatch
Corporation and the Kinsman Foundation in 2007 provided much needed
funds for the facility upgrades.
Maverick spent his year in a large, protected enclosure, called a
mews, that was open to the air outside. The mews provided him with
a place to regrow feathers safely as well as kept him acclimated to
the outdoor temperatures.
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