The Schlitz Audubon Nature Center has announced that an injured, non-releasable bald eagle from Alaska has been rescued and will be cared for at the center through a grant provided by Miller Brewing Company.
Sir Frederick -- the wild male bald eagle is named after Miller founder Frederick J. Miller -- will become part of the Center's Wings & Things live birds of prey program and its academic educational programming. Sir Frederick arrived in Milwaukee in November and is undergoing training with the nature center's raptor program manager, so that he can become an education bird, according to Laura Tanin, marketing director for the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.
"Every year, over 465,00 adults and families, as well as more than 34,000 school children will be able to observe and learn about the bald eagle, thanks to this grant from Miller Brewing Company," said Tanin. "Because of Miller's generosity and concern for the environment, we will now have the first permanent, year-round resident bald eagle used in community education in the Milwaukee area."
Sir Frederick was rescued in Alaska after being injured in a fight with another eagle, impairing his ability to fly. After rehabilitation, Sir Frederick could fly only 60-80 ft. at a time, not far enough to hunt successfully or take shelter in tall trees. Thus, he cannot be released into the wild.
The Audubon Center's Wings & Things public awareness raptor education program offers an interactive, educational experience that promotes understanding and appreciation of wild living things in their natural environment. Raptors in the program have been acquired because the federal government has deemed them as permanently disabled and non-releasable as a result of natural casualties or human contact. The Center holds eagle exhibition permits for educational use with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as well as permits with the state. Other resident raptors at the center include falcons, hawks and owls.
The Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is a non-profit organization that promotes an appreciation, understanding and stewardship of our natural heritage through environmental education and sanctuary preservation. The Center is locally funded and does not receive local or state tax dollars. The Center is open to the public Tuesday-Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sir Frederick is expected to be available for public programming this fall.
