Baby eagles fleeing nests due to extreme heat in B.C., says rescue centre
Staff at the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) on Vancouver Island believe high temperatures are to blame for an influx of young eagles requiring care.
MARS staff say they're caring for 18 eagles right now -- 13 babies and five adults or juveniles – which is highly unusual for the summer season.
Staff believe that young eagles are leaving their nests before they're ready to fly in an effort to escape the heat.
"It's so hot where they are in their nests that they're just trying to leave early to balance out that temperature," said Kiersten Shyian, assistant manager of wildlife rehabilitation at MARS.
"It's crazy how many we're getting. They're leaving early because of the heat," she said.
The animal centre says they're also getting reports of baby eagles that have fallen from nests. Many appear dehydrated, skinny, and "covered in bugs" when they first come in. Most have their down feathers still, meaning they're roughly a month to a couple of months old.
Caregivers add that it's unusual to have an influx of eagles in the summer, because winter is typically their busiest month of the species.
'RAVENOUS APPETITES'
With nearly 20 eagles in its care, MARS says it struggled to find enough fish to feed them at first.
"A couple of days ago our fridges were pretty much empty because we were going through fish so fast," said Shyian. "Because feeding 18 eagles is a lot of food, and they have very ravenous appetites."
The animal centre then turned to social media to help stock its fridges. Since then, Shyian says the community response has been overwhelming.
Community members have been donating pounds of fish after the animal centre sent out the request, particularly for salmon, which are easy to puree for the baby eagles.
The response was so generous that staff are now asking for donors to wait for roughly two weeks so that the centre can go through its current supply.
"We're full at the moment but we're going through about 10 kilograms of fish a day," said Jo Stiles, an animal caregiver at MARS.
"So in another two to three weeks we'll be in the same spot," she said.
MARS staff say they're grateful for the contributions they've received so far.
"People have been so generous," said Stiles. "I've always found with this community, if we mention the word 'eagle,' people are right there to help."
Donations to MARS can be dropped off at 331 Williams Beach Rd. in Merville, though the rescue centre asks that you call them before making a donation at 778-428-1990.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.
Tabloid publisher says he pledged to be Trump campaign's 'eyes and ears' during 2016 race
A veteran tabloid publisher testified Tuesday that he pledged to be Donald Trump 's 'eyes and ears' during his 2016 presidential campaign, recounting how he promised the then-candidate that he would help suppress stories that had the potential to harm the Republican's election bid.