By Rebecca Moseley
The bald eagle is a well-known national emblem of the USA. This impressive bird of prey can be found across the United States. They are typically spotted near bodies of water, as a large portion of their diet consists of fish. The adult bald eagle is easy to spot with its dark body, bright yellow beak and talons, and white head and tail, but the juveniles have dark plumage and beaks. Though it varies, eagles typically don’t get their white feathers until they are four or five years of age.
Apollo
Eagles are amazing and impressive predators, but did you know that they are also carrion eaters? In fact, they often steal carcasses and food from other animals.
It wasn’t very long ago that bald eagle sightings were a rare occurrence in the Ohio skies—they were officially declared an endangered species in 1967. Thanks to concentrated efforts on many fronts, eagles can once again be seen soaring throughout Ohio. According to the Division of Wildlife, 2017 surveys across Ohio counted a total of 253 bald eagles: 133 immature and 120 adult eagles. The bald eagle has been removed from the federal and state endangered lists, but it is still protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
Apollo came to the Wildlife Center in the spring of 2011. He had taken a test flight out of his nest and crossed into an adult eagle’s territory. Adult eagles are very territorial, and the older eagle attacked the fledgling Apollo and knocked him from the sky, badly injuring Apollo’s wing. Apollo now serves as an Animal Ambassador and travels to schools as part of the Apollo Project, which is designed to help educate students on the importance of eagles in our ecosystem. When Apollo isn’t out programming, he can be viewed in his newly renovated enclosure at the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center. The enclosure includes large natural logs for Apollo to perch on, a running waterfall feature, and new live trees. Apollo enjoys sitting on his tall logs and watching the visitors walk through the yard.
Lake Metroparks Animal Ambassadors represent a variety of native Ohio wildlife species. These residents are under the permanent care of the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center staff because their injuries prohibit independent survival. Animal Ambassadors allow us to educate the public about conservation.
We invite you to support our mission of nature education, conservation and stewardship through "adopting" one of our Animal Ambassadors. Click here for more information.