Bald Eagle Release at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge

Fontenelle Forest Raptor Recovery will be releasing two bald eagles back to the wild Sunday, March 8, at 1:30 p.m. at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge west of Missouri Valley, Iowa. 

Attendees should meet at the Visitors Center at 1:30 for further instructions on exactly where in the refuge the release will take place. The actual release location is approximately a 10 minute drive from the Nature Center, so make sure to arrive by 1:30 and allow time to caravan to the Nebraska side of the Refuge for the release. Daily admission to enter the refuge will be required ($3 per vehicle). However, supporting the work of our national refuges also supports these majestic birds of prey.

About the eagles:
The first eagle is an adult that suffered lead poisoning and was found near Honey Creek, IA.

The second eagle is a juvenile that also suffered lead poisoning and a gunshot injury to the tip of its wing. Because it is a young eagle, it needs to be with other eagles at this time.

Both birds have fully recuperated and are ready to be released back into the wild. Timing is very important, as the geese are quickly heading north, causing the overwintering eagles to also disperse and follow this abundant food source. We are taking the opportunity to release them now so they can join the movement north.

Event Details:

1:30 pm – Check in at the Nature Center at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Desoto/

1:40 pm – Caravan to Nebraska side of the refuge (about a 10 minute drive)

2:00 pm – Eagles will be released

Additional information:

If you would like to learn more about lead poisoning in eagles and how you can help, join us on March 21 for an Eagle Day celebration and viewing of Fragments – a short film about the epidemic of lead positioning in eagles: https://fontenelleforest.org/event/eagle-day-2/

If you would like to learn more about Raptor Recovery at Fontenelle Forest, visit: https://fontenelleforest.org/raptors/