By Ian Holmes

Once wounded eagle to be publicly released near Parksville

Apr 8, 2017 | 7:18 AM

PARKSVILLE — A young eagle whose days were once numbered instead has a future that’s about to take flight.

Staff at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRC) in Errington are prepared for their annual public eagle release on Saturday, April 8 at 2:00 p.m. at the non-profit organization’s Errington facility on Leffler Rd.

NIWRC wildlife manager Julie Mackey said the eagle, referred to as The Deep Bay Eaglet, was discovered as a fledgling, groundless young bird last summer with no parents to care for it.

“It was out of the nest a little bit too early to be able to fly and fend for itself,” Mackey said. “It got entangled in a fence, so we were able to rescue it.”

She said the eagle has been well fed and given room to hone its flying skills.

free repairs

'All around win-win situation:' have your items fixed by neighbours at Oceanside repair cafe

2h ago

time served

Nanaimo man caught with over 30g of illicit drugs avoids additional jail time

16h ago

big return

Senior women's box lacrosse returns to Nanaimo after 10+ year absence

16h ago

“It was in our large flight cage all winter long practicing its flight skills and now it’s at a point now where it can be released back into the wild.”

Mackey said their organization cares for in the range of 600 to 700 animals every year, including 30 to 40 eagles.

She said staff will carry the bird around for the public to get an up-close look before it’s released Saturday. She said the annual release they host will include educational booths as part of the ongoing Brant Wildlife Festival.

Admission to the event is by donation.

Ian.holmes@jpbg.ca

On Twitter; @reporterholmes