Menu
Conservation Area hosts Eagle Days
Eagles are abounding in Missouri, their numbers are taking hold and their reproduction rates are growing.
They come here to nest and winter, from the great northern areas of Alaska and Wisconsin. In 1995, the federal government took them off the endangered species list even though the state of Missouri continues to hold the eagle on its endangered species list.
Eagles were the topic at Eagle Day at Schell-Osage Conservation Area on Saturday, Feb. 4. On a typical program weekend the Conservation area can host anywhere between 500 to 700 guests and school groups. This event is held every two years, and this year there was an addition to the presentation. Birds representing two species were present: Phoenix, a female bald eagle; and Aquilla, a young male golden eagle. The crowd gathered outside awaiting the next presentation, which occurred every hour on the hour starting at 9 a.m and ending at 4 p.m.
The Dickerson Park Zoo acquired these two very different species through interesting means. Phoenix, a female bald eagle, is one of the long-time representatives in the program. She was a part of Missouri's Eagle nesting restoration project. She was released into the wild but could not survive on her own, so she was tracked and recaptured. Ever since, she has been an ambassador for the American Bald Eagle in Missouri.
Nesting bald eagles were a common sight in Missouri throughout the 1800s. By 1890 they were nearly eliminated from nesting in Missouri. The cyprus swamps of the Bootheel was the area in which the eagles were concentrated, but the swamps were drained and the forests were cut. This led to a significant habitat loss, and that, along with hunting, led to the near eradication of the bald eagle in Missouri by the mid-1900's. The introduction of DDT was another factor that led to significant decline in the eagle population. The Missouri Department of Conservation in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Dickerson Park Zoo of Springfield released 74 young bald eagles in Missouri to reestablish them in the years 1981 to 1990.
Eagles 6-7 weeks old were donated from captive breeding facilities or healthy wild populations and released each summer from artificial nests into two main areas that contained good habitat; Mingo National Wildlife Refuge in Southeast Missouri and Schell-Osage Conservation Area northwest of El Dorado Springs. This program has allowed the eagle to once again return to Missouri.
Phoenix sang and screeched to the 11 a.m. crowd at the Schell-Osage Conservation Area, her magnificent wings outstretched as her gaze formidably perused the audience of enthusiastic adults and wildly fascinated children.
Cheryl Briggs of the Dickerson Park Zoo said, "We have been doing this for a number of years. Have eagles will travel. We travel to several programs all year long. For a lot of people this is the only time they get to see an eagle up close. This year we have a golden eagle named Aquilla, an awesome bird."
Briggs is a docent for the zoo, and she and two other volunteers handled and presented the two eagles. The program was made possible by a donation of $300 from the local Wal-Mart which paid for some of the eagle loan fee.
Aquilla, the other ambassador, is a sleek golden eagle. He was acquired in July of 2005 when he was injured by a chain link fence, injuring his extensor tendon. The Dickerson Park Zoo staff nursed him back to health. He is unusual for a golden eagle, because the presence of humans does not make him shy away. In fact he seems to like the attention and the only rest he craves is to be outside on his perch. Aquilla was a grand attraction and quite different from Phoenix. Aquilla's habitat and food sources differ from Phoenix's in that he preys on mammals mainly mice and other small game, whereas Phoenix's habitat is located in marshes and other areas where fish are present.
The presentations also focused on the importance of protecting our nation's birds of prey by reducing the amount of pesticides sprayed outside each year. These pesticides are being slowly pointed out and banned by the federal government. In 1972, the government banned the use of DDT, which was harming the nations eagle populations.
As Briggs said, it is a chain reaction -- "what we lay on the ground goes throughout he food chain and eventually back to us."
In the early 1970s, Bald Eagles produced less then one chick per active nest and today Missouri's average is 1.8 to 2.0 chicks per active nest, according the Missouri Department of Conservation. Briggs even spoke of a successful sustainable agricultural program in the vineyards of California. Since 1981, the Shaefer family have been setting up nesting houses for birds of prey so as to eliminate the need for pesticides. In honor of the birds they have name the ranch "Red Shoulder Ranch."
The public has become more aware of the value of our nations birds of prey also known as raptors. Strict penalties for eagle killers seem to have lessened the hunting of them.
The federal Eagle Protection Act of 1975 makes it a felony to shoot an eagle. Persons convicted of killing a bald eagle are subject to a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment of up to one year or both. Subsequent violations may result in fines of up to $10,000, two years in jail or both. It is also illegal to possess an eagle alive or dead or any eagle parts without a permit.
The penalty for even holding an eagle feather is the same for killing an eagle, one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.
According to Briggs, there is a five year wait to even obtain a permit to have an eagle feather.
"The majority of eagle carcasses and feathers are turned over to the nations American Indian population." said Joni Bledsoe a Conservation Agent from St. Claire City, Mo. The modern population of eagles are protected from hunters like he New Madrid trapper who in 1907 boasted of killing 487 eagles in 37 years. However, according to the Missouri Department of conservation indiscriminate shootings still do take place. Nearly every winter, dead or wounded eagles are found in Missouri.
Participants took pictures galore and after the Phoenix and Aquilla presentation were invited to trek outside so that they could perhaps spot some eagles hunting the snow goose population.
"It was an excellent program, lots of fun. I would definitely come again." said Emily Kathol of Nevada.
The groups were large and the event was very successful.
"We came because we had an eaglet on our property a while back on our pond. So we thought we'd come and learn a little bit more about eagles." Anthony Melon, Nevada, said.
"It was very enjoyable." said Melisa Dupree of Nevada. All that attended the event were very excited. It was not only a great educational opportunity but a great way to have a little family fun as well.