One of Brookfield Zoo’s bald eagles — a fixture for three decades — died July 28.
Leah, 37, lived at Brookfield Zoo for 31 years and was prominently featured at the Children’s Zoo and at many zoo programs and events, zoo officials said.
She was euthanized July 28 due to a prolonged respiratory issue complicated by her advanced age. Bald eagles typically live 25 to 30 years in the wild, according to the zoo.
Leah was found in Minnesota in 1974 with an eye injury. Minnesota state wildlife officials determined she was not a candidate for release to the wild due to lack of vision in her left eye. She lived at Lincoln Park Zoo for four years and was transferred to Brookfield Zoo in 1979.
Zoo officials called Leah a “conservation success story.” She would participate in Zoo Chats were zoo keepers would talk about the wild bald eagle population, at Veteran’s Day ceremonies, and at a 2008 Native American ground blessing prior to construction on the Great Bear Wilderness exhibit.
“Leah was a favorite of guests and staff,” said Glenn Granat, associate curator for the Chicago Zoological Society. “She touched many people’s lives during her time at Brookfield Zoo. If one is fortunate enough to see a bald eagle in the wild it is usually from a distance, but here guests were able to really connect and be inspired when they saw this majestic animal up close. She will be greatly missed.”
Leah’s remains are going to be given to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services National Eagle Repository, which collects eagle feathers and eagles that have been found dead in the wild. Conservation laws prohibit conservation agencies, rehabilitation centers and zoological parks from distributing molted eagle feathers and remains to anyone other than the Repository.
The Repository uses the feathers for Native Americans ceremonies and celebrations.
Sondra Katzen, the media relations manager for the zoo, said the zoo is considering receiving another bald eagle.
“We are talking to rehabilitation centers, but nothing has been decided,” Katzen said.
Zoo patrons can still see a 5-year-old male bald eagle in the Great Bear Wilderness exhibit.
Brookfield, IL —
