Miami FL ~ 2021-2026

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Just saw this FB post by Ron with the full update on Rita (Was touched on in previous post above and explained why she will not remain at Zoo Miami.), so will add here.

Zoo Miami is at Zoo Miami.
5h · Miami, FL ·
"Rita", the bald eagle that made international news last year when she and her mate, "Ron," successfully raised and fledged two offspring from a nest built on a man-made platform while being monitored over the internet, has had to have surgery that will alter her future and unfortunately eliminate any chance of her ever being released back to the wild.
She arrived at Zoo Miami late last month after being found in critical condition and initially brought to Wildlife Rescue of Dade County by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) personnel. Due to the severity of her wounds, she was transported to Zoo Miami where the Animal Health Team worked feverishly to save her life. Once she was stabilized, the effort was focused on saving as much of the devastated wing as possible. The wound was a severe compound fracture with exposed bone and significant blood and tissue loss. Initial indications were that a total amputation would be necessary but the team decided to try a series of treatments that included laser therapy, acupuncture, peripheral limb infusion, physical therapy and a variety of topical, oral and injectable medications to try to save as much of the wing as possible.
Though Rita initially surpassed expectations and showed significant improvement, she recently started showing signs of infection and loss of circulation and viable tissue in the extremity of the wing that was progressively getting worse. The very difficult decision was made to amputate the latter part of the right wing just beyond the wrist to prevent the infection from spreading and endangering the life of this majestic bird.
She will now go through an intensive recovery period initially done at Zoo Miami until she is transferred to Wildlife Rescue of Dade County for her rehabilitation. She will ultimately be placed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFW) in a facility where she will remain under human care for the rest of her life. As per an agreement with Native American tribes, she will first be offered to tribes that maintain aviaries that house eagles so that their naturally molted feathers can be utilized for tribal ceremonies. If there are no requests from any Native American Tribes, she will be placed in an educational facility where she can serve as an ambassador for her species.
Though bald eagles usually mate for life, if one dies or is permanently separated, the other will often find another mate. In fact, “Ron,” Rita’s mate, has already been seen with more than one new female at the nest site!
Ron Magill

Photos by Zoo Miami. Photos x 8, right click on arrow to advance.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Saw the young gal come in with Ron this morning. She has been here off and on today and did see her bring in a fish I think it was to eat. She also worked on the rails. I know she is young, but I like her and hope she stays. Don't see anyone now, but could be on a branch out of cam view.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Saw both of them again this morning. Later in the day, Ron brought in a fish or prey that I thought was a food gift for her, but he mantled it as soon as she came over. So she took it from him and ate it anyway! Later in the day they were working on the nest together. When he flew, she was preening and as soon as she noticed he was gone, she started looking for him in the distance and flew out the same path as he. Shortly you could hear vocals from each, so he must roost overnight nearby.

gigi · **Posted:** Sat Dec 24, 2022 10:07 pm

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Mating at 5:43 am per Ron and the Young Gal on branch front and center!!

gigi · **Posted:** Sun Dec 25, 2022 5:49 pm

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Last night when I checked to see if they stay overnight, they were not here. But this morning when I went back on the cam they had come in during the night at some point and actually did spend the night here. Nobody home right now.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Ron is bringing the young gal gifts...today he brought a fish (hope not a koi from someone's pond) and a squirrel that I was able to catch on the DVR. I think this relationship is moving right along!

gigi · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2022 10:39 am

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Still checking here at least twice a day. The young gal remains a hoot. For some reason the cam view has changed since this morning to an overhead view and I am not fond of it. Hope they change it back. Makes me wonder if something happened to the other cam...

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Ron and the young gal were both around today. The 1st female visitor he had was not seen on cam that I am aware of.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Ron and the young gal both here today. Always catch her eating, but not Ron.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

I did see Ron and the young gal earlier this morning on the nest and about the tree before they went to this odd, 1/4 view of the nest. He brought a fish in and she took it and ate it.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

They finally got rid of the odd 1/4, view of the nest at some point today. I did see Ron come in with a fish I believe and the young gal took it from him and ate. It has been on the overhead view the rest of the day. Hope they go with the side view tomorrow as I can see better what is going on.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Didn't get to see anyone here as I was late getting in and the 1/4 nest view was up. They've changed views now, but it doesn't go very many hours back.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

She did it! She did it! She did it! The young gal did it! I know I can call her Rose now as she will be staying here! Rose just laid her 1st egg ever in her life and for she and Ron at the beginning of the 18:22 minute!!

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Rose was looking a little rough this morning as it rained during the night and into the early morning. Ron arrived at 8:44 and saw their egg for the 1st time. She left in a bit for a break and Ron began incubation. Rose returned a little after 12 and Ron flew out and she took over incubation.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Ron returned this afternoon for incubation duty. At a little after 4 he got up and seemed hungry picking for any leftovers and then flew out. Don't know if Rose or he were on the nest tree or nearby, but about an hour later Rose did return and resumed incubation.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

I decided to check on Rose one last time and it was perfect timing as at 4:40 am she rolled her egg a couple of times and did some aeration. Can't wait to see how this unfolds for them!

gigi · **Posted:** Mon Feb 06, 2023 12:45 pm

SWINWK wrote:

She did it! She did it! She did it! The young gal did it! I know I can call her Rose now as she will be staying here! Rose just laid her 1st egg ever in her life and for she and Ron at the beginning of the 18:22 minute!!

Eagle calendar updated! Zoo Miami Wildlife Rescue of Dade County :newegg:

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