NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. — Beloved North Fort Myers American Bald Eagles have tragically lost both offspring to the relentless grip of bird flu, as reported by the Clinic for Wildlife Rehabilitation (CROW).
WATCH AS COMMUNITY CORRESPONDENT ANVAR RUZIEV COVERS THE POTENTIAL RISKS OF THE INFECTION TO PEOPLE:
BIRD FLU: CROW confirms how North Fort Myers eaglets died
E24 and E25, two eaglets eagerly followed by the community via the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam, brought joy as they grew under the watchful care of their parents, M15 and F23. Their progress had become a source of inspiration and connection for many.
However, in a devastating turn of events, a post on the SWFL Eagle Cam Facebook page alerted followers that E25 exhibited troubling seizures overnight. This alarming development echoed the earlier struggles of E24, who had already fashioned an unsettling narrative of suffering. The heart-wrenching image of E24 covered in blood—likely from a broken blood feather—left many in disbelief. It seemed that hope had suddenly morphed into grief.
The grim reality is painted starkly by health authorities; avian influenza A viruses can leap from infected birds to other creatures and even humans. The CDC outlines how direct contact through saliva, mucus, or feces can ignite a chain reaction of transmission.
On Thursday, the verdict came in from CROW: both eaglets succumbed to the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu. Experts suspect that the critical link in this tragic chain was M15, who unknowingly provided the infected bird as dinner. The eaglets, unaware of their peril, consumed the tainted meal. Within a mere four days, their lives were extinguished.
“Raptors displaying clinical symptoms face a morale-crushing mortality rate of up to 100 percent,” stated Jessica Comolli, CROW’s Research and Medical Director. The bird flu manifests itself as an insidious and lethal threat within avian populations.
The CDC’s warnings extend beyond avian health—the specter of this strain infecting humans looms larger each day. The recent human death reported in Louisiana serves as a sobering reminder that vigilance remains essential. In the past year, 66 human cases surfaced in the U.S., with a staggering mortality rate looming over half of them globally.
Jessica Comolli emphasized, “While the general public remains at lower risk, those who work in close proximity to infected wildlife—and the immunocompromised—face a greater danger.” It is a stark reminder that nature’s balance can swiftly turn, ultimately affecting not just animals but also those it shares the earth with.
CROW representatives have noted an uptick in bird flu incidents across Southwest Florida, adding an unsettling note to the otherwise picturesque landscape of nature. With the last confirmed case occurring just a month prior, the prevalence of this disease poses ongoing challenges for local wildlife.
The six-foot feathered icons of the skies, monitored by the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam for 13 years, have never seen a plight quite like this before. “In the 13 years that we have been monitoring this camera, we’ve never had a case like this before that we know of,” shared co-founder Ginnie Pritchett-McSpadden. The eagle cam’s journey through nature’s highs, now touched by profound sorrow, calls for reflection amongst its viewers.
Wildlife experts implore the public to treat any encounter with injured wildlife with the utmost caution. CROW advises individuals to wear gloves, masks, and to avoid direct contact, always reaching out to professionals like CROW or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for guidance.
As the community grapples with this loss, CROW, alongside dedicated nest observers, remains ever-vigilant. Their hearts beat in unison with the remaining eagles while monitoring M15 and F23 for any signs of illness. They stand ready to protect what remains, as the world watches and waits in hope for recovery.
