On a wing and a Jordan-Hare

The Auburn University Raptor Center treats roughly 300 birds of prey each year.

The Auburn University Raptor Center treats roughly 300 birds of prey each year.

The partnership with Auburn's College of Veterinary Medicine allows AURC to provide an extra level of care to it's avian patients.

The partnership with Auburn's College of Veterinary Medicine allows AURC to provide an extra level of care to it's avian patients.

For a raptor in the wild, the inability to fly isn’t just an injury—it’s an emergency.

Ten years ago, a female Golden Eagle was found severely hurt on the ground near Selma, Alabama.

She was emaciated and struggling to breathe when a good Samaritan brought her to the Auburn University Raptor Center (AURC).

“We do a physical exam of every patient that comes in,” AURC’s lead veterinarian Amberly Sokoloff said. “Then, we start our initial stabilization, fluids, pain medication and antibiotics if they have infected wounds.”

Upon intake, a bigger problem was discovered – the Golden Eagle had a metacarpal fracture in her right wing.

Her treatment would require intensive wound care and weeks of conditioning.

“Each patient gets a tailored treatment plan,” Sokoloff explained. “We see a lot of birds with broken bones. We can do surgery to bring a lot of those back together and get them flying again.”

The AURC treats roughly 300 birds of prey each year.

“We are extremely lucky here at Auburn to have our partnership with the College of Veterinary Medicine,” Sokoloff said. “It allows us to do some pretty extraordinary things that other wildlife rehabilitation centers can’t.”

That collaboration allows veterinarians like Sokoloff to consult with surgeons, dermatologists, cardiologists, internal medicine and other areas to provide an extra level of care.

“We've made a huge impact to the raptor population,” AURC’s assistant director of raptor rehabilitation Stephanie Kadletz said. “Without us, the thousands of birds we’ve helped rehabilitate would have been lost.”

Native Alabama Golden Eagles like Aurea are rare. She represents one of the world’s most impressive eagle species.

Native Alabama Golden Eagles like Aurea are rare. She represents one of the world’s most impressive eagle species.

Aurea, a 7.7-pound Golden Eagle with a 6.5-foot wingspan, found new purpose in 2018, becoming a powerful ambassador for a timeless Auburn tradition.

Aurea, a 7.7-pound Golden Eagle with a 6.5-foot wingspan, found new purpose in 2018, becoming a powerful ambassador for a timeless Auburn tradition.

A RENEWED PURPOSE

Despite months of intensive care, the rescued Golden Eagle’s wrist wasn't healing.  She couldn’t flex her wing normally on her backstroke.  Her endurance was poor.

“She just didn't have the strength or stamina that’s necessary to make long migrations in the wild,” Kadletz said.

After consulting with multiple state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, AURC partnered with Auburn’s School of Kinesiology to study the Golden Eagle’s impaired flight using high-speed cameras. Following an extensive evaluation process, avian experts determined she would not survive in the wild, lacking the ability to migrate long distances or soar at the heights required to hunt prey.

She was, however, able to glide 100 yards or so without tiring.  And that proved to be a gamechanger.

Named Aurea, she’d go on to be trained by AURC staff to soar high above Jordan-Hare Stadium.  

She made her first iconic War Eagle pre-game flight on November 17, 2018, and was officially named War Eagle VIII in 2019, becoming just the third Golden Eagle to free fly in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

“It's a great story to see,” Kadletz said. “Some of these birds that come into rehabilitation are unfortunately not able to be released back into the wild. Aurea shows how they can still rise, tell their story and make an impact.”

Now part of the Auburn University Raptor Center’s entrusted collection of raptors, Aurea serves as a powerful symbol of the center’s commitment to education, rehabilitation and conservation.

Now part of the Auburn University Raptor Center’s entrusted collection of raptors, Aurea serves as a powerful symbol of the center’s commitment to education, rehabilitation and conservation.

EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION

Now part of AURC’s entrusted collection of raptors, Aurea has a huge role in the center’s educational outreach mission.

“Even though we weren't able to get her back to full health and back to release, she is still able to contribute and educate people on the unique role these birds play in our ecosystem,” Kadletz said.

Aurea’s story shows the impact of what avian rehabilitators do on the front lines.

Auburn students are at the heart of that effort.

“AURC has taught undergraduate and veterinary students throughout our 50 years,” Sokoloff explained. “These students have taken that knowledge and put it back out into their communities across the United States and the world.”

First year Auburn students start off as volunteers, while upperclassmen help with patient cases. Senior year clinical students do rotations, evaluating diagnostics, performing procedures and administering medications.  In the classroom, students learn anatomy, physiology and about ecological and environmental threats affecting conservation.

“We really give them a good hands-on experience,” Kadletz said. “We are an emergency hospital, so that really teaches them some great skills and how to think outside of the box.”

A HIGHER CALLING

Ultimately, AURC’s goal is to get a bird back 100% functional and returned to their natural habitat.

For Aurea, it was a second chance to do something more.

“Those War Eagle flights provide public-facing notoriety and awareness to what is being done here,” Kadletz said.  “Being able fly these amazing raptors in front of 90,000 fans in the stadium plus those watching on TV, showcases the beauty and grace of these animals.”

AURC hopes people gain appreciation for not only eagles, but for anything they see flying in their backyards and understand how important these animals are to our environment.

“Aurea is a great advocate for us,” Sokoloff explained. “The opportunity to see these cases from start to finish and just the eruption of joy when that eagle flight happens is amazing.”