Marion County

Bald Eagles, Other Birds Found Sick After Eating Poison in Central Florida

An animal sanctuary reports that several birds, including bald eagles, are eating poison and dying around central Florida.

Workers at the Animis Foundation have been picking up sick birds from the Marion County Landfill and nearby neighborhoods, including two bald eagles found this week. One of the eagles later died. Many of the birds tested positive for pentobarbital, which is used to humanely euthanize animals.

The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States and is federally protected.

Michelle Whitfield said the birds were taken to her facility and given oxygen. Once stable, they are taken to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey for further treatment.

The Ocala Star-Banner reports the Audubon Center has received more than a dozen poisoned birds from Marion County, but the majority survived.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us