Poisoned eagles found near suburban Twin Cities landfill released into the wild
A bald eagle likely poisoned by scavenging the carcasses of euthanized animals that were improperly disposed of at a Minnesota landfill is seen at the University of Minnesota Raptor Center, in Minneapolis. (Courtesy of The Raptor Center via AP)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — University of Minnesota officials have released a half-dozen bald eagles found poisoned near the Twin Cities back into the wild.
Minnesota Public Radio reported that 11 eagles were found poisoned near a landfill in suburban Inver Grove Heights in early December.
RELATED: 3 bald eagles die, 10 sick after eating euthanized animals
The university’s raptor center determined the eagles were suffering from a euthanasia solution. They may have consumed the chemical by scavenging the carcasses of euthanized animals left at the landfill. One of the eagles that died also had avian flu.
After weeks of medical treatment, one of the birds was released on Dec. 30. The other five were released on Friday. All six birds were released along the St. Croix River near Hastings.
The university’s raptor center setup a fund that raised over $19,500 to help pay for the eagles’ care.