Sick and Dead Bald Eagles Found

PIERRE, S.D. – Game, Fish and Parks officials say several sick bald eagles have been reported in Moody County this past week, while a number of other eagles have been found dead near Sioux Falls and along the Missouri River in Clay and Union counties. Lead poisoning, and possibly West Nile Virus, are suspected to be contributing to both bird's illnesses, which are being treated by a Sioux Falls veterinarian.

"The first eagle was reported near the Big Sioux River south of Egan and is now showing signs of improvement," said Moody County Conservation Officer Doug Day of Flandreau. "The second eagle, found near the river just to the south of Trent, was in poor condition and later died."

Day said that three of the four eagles found dead near Sioux Falls and along the Missouri River also contained high levels of lead in the blood. "Lead is a toxin, which accumulates in intensity as it moves up the food chain. When concentrations become high enough, the animal in question usually becomes sick and dies," he noted.

Lead shot was banned for hunting waterfowl years ago and is also prohibited for hunting small game on public hunting areas. "Some hunters still use it," Day noted, "and it is likely that pheasant hunters may still inadvertently deposit lead in areas where it is accessible to feeding ducks and geese. Lead shot, which is ingested or carried in the tissues of waterfowl, will then be eaten by the eagles as they consume their prey."

Eagles can acquire the West Nile Virus from infected mosquitoes and will carry the virus with them until they eventually become ill, even as they follow the migration of waterfowl north each spring where mosquitoes are not yet active.

Anyone finding a sick eagle or eagle carcass in the Moody County area should call Doug Day at (605) 997-2211. For other dead or sick eagles found in southeastern South Dakota, call the Sioux Falls GFP Office at (605) 362-2700.

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