Eaglets from Southwest Florida Eagle cam died from bird flu
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The two eaglets from the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam that died within a day of each other tested positive for Avian Influenza.
That news came Thursday afternoon from the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc., or CROW.
"The current strain of Avian Influenza is a Highly Pathogenic form of the H5N1 virus which has caused devastating losses in the birds it affects. While some birds, such as waterfowl, can shed the virus while remaining asymptomatic, other species, such as birds of prey, are highly susceptible and can succumb to the disease rapidly, as we witnessed with the eaglets in this nest. CROW will continue to work in partnership of governmental officials to monitor the well being of the adult eagles," CROW posted on its Facebook page.
Previous Stories:
- Beloved Southwest Florida Eagle Cam eaglet dies: Officials
- Second eaglet from Southwest Florida Eagle Cam dies after suffering seizure: Officials
CROW went on to give a timeline of events.
Timeline of Events
Timeline:
On Monday, Jan. 27, after learning of E24’s death and confirming that its removal was necessary for the health and safety of the eagle family, CROW was granted federal and state authorization to retrieve E24’s body.
CROW did not have permission to pull E25 from the nest at the time of retrieval, but a veterinarian on scene completed a visual exam and found E25 bright and alert with no signs of stress.

Eaglet 25 from the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam died two days after E24 passed away. Image is courtesy of Dick Pritchett Real Estate.
To minimize the potential effects of human contact, a team member immediately returned to the ground. At this point, CROW notified the public that it had retrieved E24 and a necropsy would be performed.
On Tuesday, Jan. 28, CROW learned that E25 had a seizure and had fallen from the nest overnight. Two CROW team members met with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to retrieve E25. A veterinarian was on hand and prepared to render aid if the eaglet was still alive. E25 was found to be dead and was sent off for advanced testing.
Addressing Eagle Cam Concerns
What they're saying:
CROW does not have authorization to attempt the capture of M15 and F23, the parents of the eaglets.
Officials say this would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, and unsafe, because they are both flighted eagles.
CROW continues to work in partnership with the Prichett Family and FWC to monitor the well being of the adult eagles.
What experts have to say
Dig deeper:
Dr. Gary Butcher, a professor at the University of Florida and a poultry veterinary pathologist, said it's nothing to be alarmed about.
"They are endangered birds, that this is tragic to lose them. But at the same time, from a scientific perspective, this is not unexpected," he said.
Butcher has been studying the H5N1 strain all over the world since 1997.
"[Bird Flu] has been cycling in these migratory birds for millions of years. This has always happened. So this is nothing to be concerned about. It's just a normal cycling event," he said.
As far as the poultry industry, he said, its business as usual. He dismissed any link between egg prices or shortages to the virus. Instead, likening it to the panic buying during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a toilet paper shortage.
"And so far in Florida, we as consumers should be very happy. We have not had a single case of avian influenza in our commercial egg layers or in our commercial broilers in Florida, because we do practice good biosecurity. The virus is out there, but it hasn't gotten into our birds," said Butcher.
Butcher said as far as transmission to humans goes, the low risk level hasn’t changed. Since 2003, there have only been about 900 human bird flu cases resulting in around 450 deaths, which is about 20 deaths a year globally.
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The Source: Information for this story was gathered from the Facebook page of The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc.