A wedge-tailed eagle hit by a car on Saturday has died, despite the best efforts of vets, animal carers, and members of the public.
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The endangered eagle was hit by a car on Nile Road while eating roadkill.
It was delivered to Launceston’s Animal Medical Centre later that day with a broken leg by a concerned member of the public.
Veterinarian Dr Tim Laws did surgery on the bird on Saturday night.
“We do get eagles brought in from time-to-time,” Dr Laws said.
He said unfortunately the injuries of the birds were “often horrific” and they would often have to be euthanized.
“This one had a bone sticking out through it’s skin, and I thought it was potentially fixable.”
Dr Laws operated on the eagle and put a bone plate in the it’s leg. He said the operation went well.
Dr Laws said the operation was made possible due to the bird’s size.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever put a bone plate in a bird,” he said.
“Birds are usually too small to fix their legs.”
It’s the first time I’ve ever put a bone plate in a bird. Birds are usually too small to fix their legs.
- Dr Ian Laws
The eagle was later taken by Parks and Wildlife staff to a wildlife carer at Kettering in the state’s South.
Unfortunately, Dr Laws received a “disturbing” phone call on Wednesday afternoon to say the wedge-tailed eagle had died.
Dr Laws said most eagle injuries were usually due to being hit by cars while eating roadkill.
In April, a wedge-tailed eagle was brought into a Launceston veterinary clinic after being shot at Ravenswood.
The injured bird was found with a gunshot wound to the leg and could not be saved.
The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water, and Environment said another issue eagles faced was being poisoned due to lambing losses.
Dr Eric Woehler of BirdLife Tasmania said there were an estimated 1000 to 1400 wedge-tailed eagles left, with about 350 breeding pairs.
Dr Laws encouraged those who come across an injured wedge-tailed eagle to bring it to a vet for treatment, if possible.
Injured or dead wedge-tailed eagles can also be reported to Parks and Wildlife on 6165 4305.