Another Decorah bald eagle dies from electrocution

Raptor Resource Project Director Bob Anderson with Decorah bald eaglet "Four" (Photo courtesy of Raptor Resource Project)

Raptor Resource Project officials have announced that the only remaining bald eagle from the 2014 Decorah hatch to remain in the wild has been electrocuted.  "Four" is the fourth Decorah webcam eaglet to die from electrocution.

Raptor Resource Project Director Bob Anderson and one of his friends picked up the carcass of Four on Thursday.  He found her lying underneath a utility pole.  He took photographs and sent them to a consultant, who concluded that the utility pole was unsafe and made suggestions to improve the safety of this pole and other poles in the area.  Alliant Energy/Interstate Power and Light has been notified and is preparing a response.

Anderson believes the eaglets keep perching on power poles because that is what they are exposed to from an early age.  With bald eagles beginning to nest in close proximity to man--something new for both species--Anderson says he believes electrocution will be an increasing concern for urban-fledged eagles and utility companies.