Remains of Captiva eaglet contained traces of rat poison
The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife recently received the necropsy results of an eaglet that died in its nest on Captiva earlier this year, and the bird’s remains contained traces of rat poison.
On March 16, CROW reported that the liver tissue of the female eaglet, named Hope, was found to contain markedly increased levels of brodifacoum, as well as traces of difenacoum. Both are second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide, or rat poison. Anticoagulant rodenticides prevent the blood from clotting normally and cause an animal that has ingested a toxic amount to bleed to death. Rodents that ingest the poison often become disoriented or lethargic as they are dying and become easy prey for eagles, hawks, owls and other predators, passing the poison through the food chain.
“Sadly, it is not uncommon for apparently healthy raptors to test positive for low levels of rodenticides, which have not yet reached the point of causing toxicity and illness,” CROW reported. “The adults in the nest likely have chronic exposure to rodenticides from the same food sources, but are not currently suffering any ill effects due to their larger body size compared to the affected baby.”
Hope is believed to have died in the early hours of Jan. 24. The nest, located on the property of Lori Covert, has a camera that is managed as a private partnership with the American Eagle Foundation.
At the time, CROW Executive Director Alison Charney Hussey explained that cam watchers observed Hope struggling in the nest, along with “a lot of blood.” Based on the observations, the foundation received permission from federal officials for CROW to access the nest and retrieve Hope’s remains.
“We were asked to get involved,” she said. “So that a necropsy could be done.”
Hussey noted that the amount of blood indicated Hope’s blood was not clotting properly.
“That gave us evidence of ‘OK, perhaps rodenticide was involved,'” she said, explaining that CROW would not have gotten involved had it appeared the eaglet had passed away from natural causes.
“The only reason that we were allowed to go up and retrieve Hope’s remains was because it was suspected that rodenticide may have played a part in the death,” Hussey added.
On Jan. 25, Wildlife Rehabilitator Katie Mueller removed the eaglet’s remains from the nest and brought them to the CROW Clinic. During the removal process, she noted the following:
– A broken blood feather was found on Hope’s right wing primary feathers. No other signs of trauma were found. Mueller did observe a large amount of blood in the nest. A piece of the broken blood feather was retrieved from the nest and included with the remains.
– No fishing line was observed in the nest or on Hope’s remains.
At the clinic, a brief examination and radiographs were performed by CROW’s veterinary team. The eaglet weighed about 5 pounds. It was unknown at the time if Hope was a male or female.
The eaglet’s remains were packaged and sent to the Southeastern Cooperative for Wildlife Disease Study at the University of Georgia for a full necropsy, which included testing for rodenticides.
Less than two weeks before Hope’s death, its sibling — named Peace — died in the nest. Believed to have passed on Jan. 13, the foundation confirmed the loss of the bird via social media on Jan. 14.
“It is with sadness that we confirm the loss of Peace, the smaller eaglet in the Captiva nest,” it posted on Facebook. “It’s important to note that these nests are the habitats of wild animals and are a unique glimpse into the beauty and tragedy of nature.”
Hussey previously reported that CROW was not called about the first eaglet’s death.
“It appeared, at that point, a potential failure-to-thrive situation,” she said, explaining that no permissions were granted by federal officials and no request for a necropsy was made.
“But we were aware simply because we, like others, are interested in this nest for education purposes and such, and because of our partnership with the American Eagle Foundation,” Hussey added.
On March 16, CROW acknowledged the death of the first eaglet.
“While we have answers for Hope’s death, a necropsy was unable to be performed on the younger eaglet, Peace, and the cause of its death remains unknown,” CROW reported.
There are ways the public can help prevent rodenticide poisoning.
“We understand that homeowners and landowners aren’t excited when they have rodents, and that they want to try and get rid of them,” Hussey previously said. “Nonetheless, there are alternatives to rodenticide.”
CROW suggests encouraging more natural predators to one’s property by installing owl boxes and such. Old-fashioned snap traps are also recommended, or capture then release rodents elsewhere. One tip is to clean up outdoor trash and do not leave pet food outside as these things can attract rodents.
“When rodenticide or rat positioning is introduced to these rodents, it enters into the food chain and ends up potentially killing beautiful raptors, whether eagles or hawks or owls,” she said. “And we know that’s never anyone’s intention when they’re trying to maintain their property.”
To download content that can be shared with friends, in the neighborhood or classroom, visit Raptors Are The Solution, or RATS, at https://www.raptorsarethesolution.org/free-outreach-materials.
The foundation’s Captiva Eagle Cam follows eagles Connie and Joe.
To check it out, visit https://hdontap.com/index.php/video/stream/captiva-eagle-nest-florida-live. The foundation is also on YouTube at www.youtube.com/channel/UCWl9BI3rn0-YVCuWS_g2FUw.
For more about the American Eagle Foundation, visit https://www.eagles.org.
For more information about CROW, visit www.CROWClinic.org.