Miami FL ~ 2021-2026

Beth · **Posted:** Sun Jan 02, 2022 11:20 am

Miami FL - Zoo Miami Wildlife Rescue of Dade County, Eagle webcam
:hatchegg:

2nd hatch ~ 1/2/22

Beth · **Posted:** Thu Jan 06, 2022 12:10 pm

Miami FL - Zoo Miami Wildlife Rescue of Dade County, Eagle webcam
:hatchegg:

3rd hatch ~ 1/6/22

Beth · **Posted:** Fri Jan 07, 2022 7:12 pm

No. # 3 hatch didn't make :tissue:

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

Rita was found critically injured, my understanding several miles from her nest. (She was banded as a chick I think when there was a nest failure of some sort, so an ID was possible.) She has a severe compound fracture of her wing from unknown blunt force trauma. She had been there a while when found as maggots were already present. From Local 10 news:

From their FB:

“Rita,” the bald eagle that received international attention last year when her and her mate, “Ron,” were featured on a live nest cam in conjunction with Wildlife Rescue of Dade County, was found in critical condition with a severely broken right wing. She was transported to Wildlife Rescue of Dade County last night by Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officers where she was initially evaluated and stabilized by Wildlife Rescue of Dade County staff members. She was then brought to Zoo Miami’s Animal Hospital this morning where Chief of Animal Health, Dr. Gwen Myers and Associate Veterinarian, Dr. Gaby Flacke, worked with the Animal Health Team to perform a series of radiographs as well as an in-depth examination. In addition, she received antibiotics, pain medication, fluids, vitamins, and wound care.

Radiographs confirmed a severe compound fracture of the right wing. The Animal Health Team is continuing to stabilize her while determining the best surgical options for her care.

Had it not been for the rescue of this bird, she surely would not have survived. Though she remains in critical condition, she at least now has an opportunity for survival. The next 24 – 48 hours will be critical. It is apparent that she was in this state for an extended period of time prior to rescue and therefore is at increased risk for overwhelming infection and other complications.

Zoo Miami’s Animal Health Team will work closely with Wildlife Rescue of Dade County to evaluate the best options moving forward and will keep you updated.

Ron Magill

Photos from FB of her exam:

Total of 6 photos, click on right arrow to advance.

gigi · **Posted:** Tue Nov 29, 2022 8:33 am

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

Update on Rita from Ron Magill awhile ago on their YT chat:

Wildlife Rescue of Dade County

I just visited Rita at her temporary home at the vets office. She sedated so she was sleepy. Surgery will be done tomorrow afternoon. No promises about her eventual disposition.

gigi · **Posted:** Tue Nov 29, 2022 5:59 pm

The eagle nesting season is certainly beginning with a lot of chaos and tragedy. I hope things get better. :15heartbeat:

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

From the mod on their chat: Rita is out of surgery and standing. No prognosis on her future.

Then we got this report:

Wildlife Center of Dade County:

"Just got back. She is doing fine. Orthopedically, the surgery could not have gone better. We still have a long way to go."

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

Post-op there is lack of circulation in Rita's wing, report from Miami Rescue of Dade County:

Ron Magill is with Jeanne Kaufman and
4 others
.
2h ·
Yesterday, "Rita," the bald eagle had surgery performed to help repair her severely fractured right wing. The surgery was performed by avian veterinary specialist, Dr. Don Harris, assisted by Zoo Miami Associate Veterinarian, Dr. Marisa Bezjian and the Zoo Miami Animal Health Team. The surgery was successful inserting a metal pin to align and support the fractured bone. However, the prognosis for successful healing is extremely poor due to the lack of circulation in the wing as a result of the devastating trauma. At this time, it is unfortunately unlikely that the wing can be saved and even more unlikely that she will ever fly again. Having said that, we are not giving up hope! She is receiving daily drug therapy, laser treatments and acupuncture along with her wound care and dressing changes. She has already beaten tremendous odds by surviving the terrible trauma from which she would have certainly died from had it not been for the intervention of all of the involved parties. We are all praying that she can provide us with a miracle and continue on a positive path.

Photos during surgery x 12, click on right arrow to advance.

gigi · **Posted:** Fri Dec 02, 2022 8:37 am

Thanks for the updates, SWINWK! As a bird rehabber volunteer, I am always thankful when the community comes together to save wildlife.
Actions like that restore my belief in humanity. :15heartbeat:

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

A couple of days ago or so, I heard there was some circulation, then yesterday it was said they are 99.9% sure Rita will never fly again. Also, I think if she pulls through this she will end up at Zoo Miami. Have not seen Ron recently when I have checked, but have not done as often as I would have preferred.

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

Rita update:

Ron Magill is with Jeanne Kaufman and
4 others
at Zoo Miami.
6h · Miami, FL ·

Rita, the bald eagle, continues to be treated daily by the Animal Health Team at the Zoo Miami Hospital. Her appetite remains good, and she has now branched out from fish and added small mammals to her diet. Her ongoing treatments, most of them daily, include laser therapy to stimulate healing, medications for pain management, fluids to keep her hydrated that include B complex vitamins, antibiotics to help against infection, medications for increasing and improving circulation, antifungal medications, infusion therapy and medication designed to help with tissue perfusion concentrated at the wound site, physical therapy and regular bandage changes combined with a variety of topical medications.
Though the wound site has shown some improvement in color along with reduced swelling, the very tip of the wing still looks as if it is very unlikely to totally heal. Though every indicator suggests that she will not be able to fly again, at least not well enough to be in the wild, the team is not giving up on her and she continues to receive the best possible care from a profoundly dedicated and committed Animal Health Team. Though she has already defied the odds by surviving this devastating injury, the next week or two will hopefully provide more definitive answers as to the ultimate fate of this majestic bird.

:15heartbeat:

Warning - some images may be considered graphic! :15heartbeat:

Total of 21 photos, advance by clicking the right arrow.

gigi · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2022 5:46 pm

Wow! She is going through a lot. Thanks for sharing SWINWK.

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

Rita Update from 12/16/22:

Ron Magill is with Jeanne Kaufman and
4 others
at Zoo Miami.
1d · Miami, FL ·
Rita the eagle has continued to show progress in her healing from the devastating wound to her right wing. As expected, the bone at the tip of the wing became necrotic and had to be surgically removed to prevent infection to the remaining healthy portion of the wing. This resulted in what will probably be the permanent loss of the last 3-4 primary feathers on that wing which is why her being released back to the wild is highly unlikely.
Having said that, the good news is that the rest of the wing which was originally considered to be so critically damaged that it was unlikely that it could be saved at all, is now showing good circulation and viability to where the Animal Health Team feels cautiously optimistic about its healing.
Rita continues to eat well and demonstrate excellent strength with a feisty attitude as she goes through daily treatments that include various frequencies of laser therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy, wound treatments and bandage changes. In addition, she is on a carefully prescribed regimen of topical, oral and injectable medications, all designed to assist in her healing from this horrific injury.
The bottom line is that she continues to defy the odds and show improvement in her condition each day.

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

gigi · **Posted:** Sun Dec 18, 2022 8:46 am

Thank you for the update.

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

Ron had a visitor earlier today that brought a stick for the nest. They are saying a female, but she looked smaller than him to me, but may have been the cam angle. If she stays she will be named Rose is my understanding from others.

Edit to add: Found the video:

Video by Gracie Shepard. "Ron Has A Visitor!"

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

I think Ron is up to at least 3 visitors now. I watched him with the one who arrived this morning while it was still dark and he did not seem too pleased. He tried to shoo it away, but in the end he went to the branch and it did come onto the nest. In the dark, it looked to be nearing or about 4 years old. Not sure which one is the 3rd one, but may have arrived later today.

gigi · **Posted:** Wed Dec 21, 2022 8:33 am

There seems to be lots of eagles looking for love this season. Here and elsewhere! :flirty:

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

Currently it looks to be the young female out on the branch right now on Ron's nest tree. I had to go back on the DVR to see the markings on her head.

:girlsad3:

Sad update seen in chat on Rita from the Wildlife Rescue of Dade County earlier today by another poster. I am very disappointed that if Rita lives, she will no longer be with those who's lives she has touched or intertwined with unbeknownst to her. It will not let me copy and paste, so in summary:

He said he had to make a tough decision last night and told the vets to amputate that last part of her wing. She will 1st be offered to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. If they do not want her, she will be offered out as an education bird. He said Zoo Miami is already at capacity for eagles. He said there is a center in the Keys run by his best friend who wants an eagle. Also said: "She's mean as heck (another similar word substituted per BCAW censor) and will require a lot of charm school."

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

The same female that Ron tried to shoo away Tuesday morning and who was there last night was here off and on today. I did see them together on the nest after dark and/or about the tree. He seemed more tolerant of her. Ron flew just before 10 pm and then she flew and you could hear vocals with responses shortly after they left in the distance.

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