The Passing of an Eagle

On November 19th, Saturn the Bald Eagle was euthanized after a long life at CMNH. Director of Wildlife Resources Harvey Webster wrote the following for museum staff:




In 1985 Saturn was pulled from a nest in Michigan as a nestling by a wildlife biologist who, while banding the eaglets in the nest, noticed a large lesion on Saturn's head that seemed to involve his eye. Concerned that the eaglet would be blind in that eye, the biologist took him to the University of Minnesota Raptor Center for treatment. The lesion proved to be a large hematoma. Saturn was treated but by the time he was healthy enough for release, he had become too human oriented and tame and thus unsuitable for release.

He was placed in our facility in 1986. He was originally held off display and trained for program use and as a semen donor in our eagle breeding project. He was then placed on display in our original eagle aviary with 'Martha II' and they were displayed together for twelve years. They had one eaglet in 1990. Upon her passing, he was our lone display eagle until we obtained Venus in 2006.

He was diagnosed with a neuro-myopathy of his leg in 2002. He was examined, x-rayed, ultra-sounded and even cat-scanned at the Ohio State University Vet School. The wasting of the leg muscles of his bad leg was clearly apparent but the underlying cause was never discovered. Thus all we could do for him was manage his pain with anti-inflammatories and analgesics.



Although he and Venus seemed to be very compatible, his listing behavior became so exaggerated that he was no longer suited for public exhibit. So when we had the opportunity to obtain Orion from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, we grabbed at it and pulled Saturn off and put Orion on display. Saturn was then moved to the Raptor Center where his condition has worsened over the past 3 years. And thus the course of action on Saturday.

And though I would have hoped to have Saturn here far longer, 26 is a very respectable age for an eagle.

With 25 years here at CMNH, he has been a great bird, handsome, spirited, majestic and has thrilled millions of CMNH visitors. My hope is that he touched those people as he touched us and helped spread a message of respect and conservation of these noble raptors to a large and diverse audience. He will be missed.

Best,

Harvey