New York Pet Owners Could Be Accidentally Killing Bald Eagles

After two adolescent bald eagles were found with "severe neurological signs" and needed to be euthanized, a wildlife rescue organization issued an important reminder to pet owners that could pay dividends for years to come.

New York State is home to an impressive bald eagle population, but that wasn't always the case. While repopulation efforts have seen the birds removed from New York's endangered species list, there are still dangers lurking.

Poison Dangers for New York Bald Eagles

Similar to the catastrophic consequences of the pesticide DDT, which decimated bald eagle populations across the country, another threat from inadvertent poisonings still exists. That's where the recent warning comes in.

Avoidable Bald Eagle Deaths

As Blue Ridge Wildlife Center shared on Facebook (below), they recently took in two adolescent bald eagles that they reported were "completely non-responsive" and needed to be euthanized. Tests showed that the birds' deaths could have been prevented. 

Pentobarbital Poisoning Affecting Bald Eagles

While many birds die from ingesting rodent poisons (mice eat the poison, birds eat the mice), the rehabilitation center said that the substance that killed the two eagles was something different: a drug used to euthanize household pets.

Improper Care of Euthanized Pets Could Poison Bald Eagles

The pentobarbital poisoning led the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center to believe that the eagles found access to a pet that had been euthanized but not properly buried. They shared a reminder to pet owners about the responsible way to bury their pets:

Euthanized animals should be buried AT LEAST 3 feet deep, on your private property, away from water sources, flood plains, utility lines, and tree roots.  Future property owners should always be made aware of any animals buried on the land. Keep in mind that localities may also have additional requirements when burying a euthanized animal, so be sure to follow any local regulations.

Which Birds Are at Risk of Pentobarbital Poisoning

Bald eagles and vultures are reportedly at the highest risk for pentobarbital poisoning as they both prefer to eat organs that would have the highest concentrations of the drug. They are also large enough to scare off any other competition for the meal.

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While eagles are known to scavenge dead animals (including this unbelievable mammal), their more traditional diet comes from the water. Check out eagles hunting on the Hudson River below.