More bald eagles from Warren County admitted for treatment as investigation continues
WARREN COUNTY, N.J. — Additional bald eagles from Warren County have been admitted for treatment as wildlife officials continue investigating a series of cases involving weak and grounded birds first reported in April.
The Raptor Trust, a Morris County-based wildlife rehabilitation organization, said two eagles from Warren County were admitted Thursday, April 30 and two more on Friday, May 1. The birds are in stable but guarded condition and remain under observation, according to Executive Director Christopher D. Soucy.
Earlier in April, four bald eagles from the same area in Warren County were found exhibiting signs of distress and were taken in for care. Officials initially said the birds showed symptoms consistent with possible acute toxicity, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
Three of the original four eagles responded well to treatment and were released into a suitable habitat in consultation with New Jersey Fish and Wildlife. However, one of those three remains in care for further observation. A fourth eagle from the original group also remains under treatment.
Soucy said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service collected samples from the birds for laboratory testing, but results are not yet available, and the cause of the illness has not been determined.
Soucy added that New Jersey Fish and Wildlife continues to monitor the situation and may request additional samples from the newly admitted birds for further testing.
The eagles were transported to the rehabilitation facility with assistance from local animal control officers and state and federal wildlife agencies.
