The photo and report are from Seal Sitters volunteer David Hutchinson:
Last Tuesday, Seal Sitters was involved in an unusual situation. While on a routine check of the Don Armeni boat ramp, we came across a dead bald eagle on the beach. Contact was made with US Fish & Wildlife in Redmond (425-883-8122) and permission was given for us to retrieve the carcass and keep it on ice until the next day when it would be picked up by an enforcement officer. We were informed later that the eagle had been checked very closely and that it “appears to be a natural death”. Please be aware that it is illegal to possess dead eagle parts or feathers, except in certain cases – see the links below. Birds can transmit diseases to humans – protective gloves should always be worn when handling sick or dead birds.
Based on a comparison of photos, it is believed by Seal Sitters that this eagle is the same as the one seen frequently over the last few months, perching on light poles and on the beach along Alki Ave and at Duwamish Head. That eagle had damage near the pupil of its right eye – as shown in the included photo taken back on September 3rd . This damage was confirmed on examination by USFW.
Just a reminder that as part of NOAA’s West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Seal Sitters responds to live or dead marine mammals on the beaches of West Seattle. Please contact our hotline at 206-905-7325 to report these cases. Seal Sitters is not responsible for responding to reports of dead or live birds. Please check out the following links for the appropriate contacts and additional information.
US Fish & Wildlife Service
Another interesting site for information on the National Eagle Repository
PAWS – Progressive Animal Welfare Society, in Lynnwood
(We believe the eagle shown in three photos in this WSB item from September is the one David’s referring to.)
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