An Eaglet Finds A New Home At Ottawa NWR

Ottawa NWR’s Refuge Manager Jason Lewis holds the eaglet tight before they head up to the nest. (Photo by the author)

With a camera strapped to his helmet, Ottawa NWR’s Refuge Manager Jason Lewis carefully grabbed the eaglet, hopped in the bucket truck, and tried to suppress his fear of heights. Moments later, high above the expectant crowd, he gently thrust the bird next to its new siblings. The Lake Erie Tree Service crew brought him back to solid ground and a roaring applause.

Back to the Wild took this eaglet into their care after a vicious storm knocked down the original nest. Instead of remaining under human supervision, the rehabilitation clinic acted true to its name and wanted the bird to return to its native habitat. And what better place is there to raise an eaglet than Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge?

The US Fish and Wildlife Service, Back to the Wild, and Lake Erie Tree Service (who generously donated their time and bucket truck) worked together to make this bird the talk of the town. Soon after the eaglet cuddled up with its newfound siblings, the story exploded across local media. Representing the refuge, Jason Lewis summed up the event perfectly. He explained, “We were able to work together as a community to figure out how to save this bird. To me, that’s what a refuge is for. We’re here to protect and serve fish, birds and other wildlife.”

I can’t think of too many jobs where interns can tag along to an eaglet reintroduction—and that right there is why I work for conservation!

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Click here to see ABC 13’s Go Pro footage of the event: Go Pro Footage