With their fierce, intense eyes, deadly claws, and hooked beaks, bald eagles have adorned flags and led armies into battle throughout the ages. The national emblem of the United States since 1782 — and a spiritual symbol for Native Americans for far longer — the bald eagle is the very embodiment of our ideas about power, freedom, and independence.
That’s why it’s particularly difficult to see one of these mighty birds of prey in a vulnerable and critical state. This is where the story of Beauty, the bald eagle, begins.
Beauty was living in Alaska when part of her beak was shot off. The injury left her unable to feed herself. She certainly would have died without the help of a caring, Idaho-based raptor specialist and a kinetic engineer who joined forces just in time to save her.
Watch as Beauty is fitted with the first-ever, bald eagle prosthetic beak.
Written By Candice Gaukel Andrews.
It was great to see this video, but the claim was misleading. I participated in similar endeavors at the San Diego Zoo back in the 1980′s with at least 2 raptors that I can remember. No, you didn’t find them on a google search, but trust me, it did occur. The technology has certainly advanced since then as well. Thanks for the reminder.
Great story! I hope it gives a better quality of life to this magnificent bird!
i have done one for the rear tarsus but wow nothing that complicated for a beak
great work
May the people out there who use weapons on poor defenseless birds,wake up and rather go target practicing!!Or is the thrill of injuring a beautiful product of mother nature such as Beauty seen as a victory to you???You rock Beauty!!Thanks to all those who put their heads together to save you!!
Lovely post, Candice. I heard a similar story not long ago, and it’s heartening to hear that we can save birds that once died of damage done by gunshot, especially when they are endangered or protected. I have vivid memories of watching one dive for and catch a salmon in a lake near Homer, Alaska, several years ago. Thanks.
This is one of the most warming stories I’ve seen in a long time.
Simply beautiful post,thanks Candice.
Unbelievable, what a great feel good story.
I’ll never forget the first time I saw a bald eagle up close. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Thanks for another great blog, Candice.
I have seen the missing top beak of a Tawny Frogmouth bird get replaced. In only a couple of hours skilled staff at the University of New England made and fitted a new top beak. I was amazed at the before and after …… the bird looked really sad and ill with the broken beak. But after the beak was fitted, the bird was so much brighter and the twinkle in the eye was back. It was very emotional!
What a beautiful story!
Is this animal expected to rejoin the breeding population, or will it spend the remainder of its life in zoo?
cool stuff indeed…..