FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — An American bald eagle is soaring through the skies over Fort Leonard Wood once again due to the combined efforts of Fort Leonard Wood Conservation Law Enforcement and the veterinary staff of the Dickerson Park Zoo, located in Springfield, Missouri.
According to Lt. Eric Magoon, Fort Leonard Wood Conservation Law Enforcement supervisory police officer, the eagle’s wing was clipped by a motorist on Polla Road, just outside Fort Leonard Wood’s West Gate the morning of July 7 while attempting to fly away.
Conservation officers transported the adolescent eagle to the veterinarian team at the zoo’s Raptor Rehabilitation Program.
Dickerson Park Zoo Head Veterinarian Dr. Stephanie Carle said she immediately began the standard examinations, which included x-rays and a lead test.
Carle said it was then discovered that the bird’s inability to take flight may not have been caused by a wing injury, but most likely due to the high level of lead in its blood. She said an increase in lead levels is commonly caused by feeding on carcasses or fish that have lead shot or lures in them.
“Typically, if the level is above 10, we treat, and (the eagle’s) was 16,” Carle said, while explaining the raptor underwent daily injections to pull the stored lead out of its bones until the levels dropped and the eagle was ready to fly again.
Dickerson Park Zoo staff worked with Magoon to release the raptor back to Fort Leonard Wood Aug. 7.
“I picked the area based on available habitat, food and low human activity,” Magoon said.
According to Magoon, on average bald eagles only lay about two eggs per year and approximately 30% of the hatched eggs will not survive their first year, so maintaining natural resources is crucial to their survivability.
“We have several nests on Fort Leonard Wood, which means several mating pairs of bald eagles,” Magoon said.
Law enforcement conservation efforts and rehabilitative programs have proven successful in the area, according to Magoon, and an initial survey conducted by the Missouri Department of Conservation in Pulaski County recorded three eagles in 1976 compared to the latest survey in 2024 resulting in 58 eagles.
“Wildlife belongs to all people and should be preserved in perpetuity for future generations,” Magoon said. “If someone has a vehicle accident with a raptor or thinks one may be injured or sick on Fort Leonard Wood, it is important to keep your distance and call the Fort Leonard Wood Provost Marshals Office immediately at 573.596.6141.”
Additional information about Dickerson Park Zoo’s Conservation program can be found on its website.
“It's an important conservation effort that our zoo offers to the public” Carle said. “We always want to get them back out to where they came from.”
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