Bald Eagle No Longer at War
W hen the eagle soars over a packed crowd in Jordan-Hare Stadium, fans scream war eagle. On Saturday, Oct. 27, the eagle didn’t only soar as a part of tradition; it also celebrated the removal of all bald eagles from the endangered species list.
Auburn’s own Raptor Center and its’ founders Jimmy Milton and Gregg Boring, were recognized by a resolution from Governor Bob Riley and presented by Rep. Mike Hubbard.
In article by The Plainsman, Marianne Murphy, raptor education biologist for the Auburn Raptor Center, said, “What we did Saturday was just celebrate the fact that the bald eagle has been removed from the endangered species list and that de-listing is the result of a collaborative effort of organizations and individuals all across the country that showed interest in the bald eagle and took steps to lead to the resurgence of its population.�
According to Murphy these eagles are native to this area due mainly to its open waterways. The bald eagles eat mostly fish, so they live in Alabama as well as Georgia.
Auburn’s Raptor Center is helping the bald eagle population in several ways. They have taught many veterinarians about these birds so that they may better care for them if such a situation were to arise. They also have released some eagles back into the wild, written publications to increase awareness about research and published success stories to encourage people to do what ever they can for these creatures.
The Raptor Center has had a huge impact in restoring the bald eagles’ population. They have especially made an impact with their education programs that they have created to protect the bald eagle in the community.
Roy Crowe, the eagle consultant education specialist for the center told The Plainsman, “Specifically what we do at the Raptor Center is the education programs we talk to tens of thousands of kids each year and the Raptor Center has been doing these education programs for years.�
In addition to being a worker for the Raptor Center, Murphy is also one of the people that are on the field when the eagle flies around the stadium prior to kickoff.
Murphy said, “We work with the eagles almost every day in the stadium so the eagles are trained to respond to us in the stadium and they come to a food reward and it takes a lot of repetition.�
Auburn fans should now take more pride than ever in their mascot, and I’m sure that Spirit feels better knowing that its species is safe once again.
The Raptor Center will be open on Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. to provide more information about this historic event.
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