Saving our national symbol – Wabasha center offers refuge for injured eagles
Imagine getting ready for the Independence Day celebration by putting on your best T-shirt and ball cap displaying the national bird – a turkey. After signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Continental Congress assigned three members to create a national design for the United States. After much research, the committee of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin presented its idea to Congress – Lady Liberty with a shield. Congress shot down the idea and chose the bald eagle as the symbol in 1782.
Later, Franklin suggested the turkey because it was a native bird to America. Golden eagles are common in Europe, but Europe doesn’t have turkeys, so Franklin thought the bird would make the best symbol.
Bald eagles and turkeys are common among our nation’s neighbors, both Canada and Mexico. So, while Franklin thought the turkey would be the better symbol, it is not a bird solely known in the U.S.
Had Franklin succeeded, Wabasha, Minnesota, could have been home to the National Turkey Center, with a staff trained to care for injured turkeys instead of eagles. Opened in 1999 as Eaglewatch Inc., the National Eagle Center is home to injured eagles that can’t survive in the wild. Five eagles currently live at the center. A sixth eagle – Harriett – passed away in 2016 at the age of 35.
Angel was a fledgling when she arrived at the center in 2000. She was found in Wisconsin after suffering a broken wing.
Columbia arrived in 2006 after being injured in an accident with a vehicle. Columbia was found to have massive amounts of lead in her blood. She was treated for lead poisoning.
Was’aka (Dakota for strength) came from Florida. He was born with a tumor in his left eye. He is blind in the eye, so he likely wouldn’t have survived in the wild. Was’aka hatched in 2006.
The center has two golden eagles. Golden eagles differ from bald eagles in the color of their feathers. They are brown with a brown crown. Bald eagles have a white head. Golden eagles can be found around the world, whereas bald eagles are native to North America.
Donald arrived at the eagle center in 2008. It’s believed he may have been born in 2002.
Hoksada (Dakota for boy). He hatched in 2015. The bird was found on a Washington state beach with an eye infection, unable to find food.
Naming eagles with Dakota (Santee Sioux) words, the center pays respect to the Native American history and influence of the area. The city of Wabasha is name after a Dakota chief – Wapashaw (later changed to the Wabasha spelling). A statue of the chief stands in a plaza outside the eagle center. Play Here – https://plinko-australia.com
The National Eagle Center staff shares their knowledge of eagles through daily programs. The 45-minute sessions include information about the raptors living at the center, such as how they may have been injured and how long they’ve been at the center, as well as general information about eagles.
Minnesota has one of the largest eagle populations in the United States. Alaska has the most eagles. Florida and Oregon are other states with large populations. Bald eagles live in the Wabasha area year-round because the Mississippi River flows fast and doesn’t freeze during winter, allowing the birds open areas for hunting.
The eagle center features information and exhibits about other animals and birds from the region, including a snow owl, pheasants and bison.
The National Eagle Center is open daily, except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Easter. For additional information, please visit www.nationaleaglecenter.org.
