News Release

Fort Donelson NB Fledging Falls

Fort Donelson fledgling bald eagle has died after apparent fall from nest

NPS/Elizabeth Stead

News Release Date: May 27, 2022

Contact: Brian McCutchen, 931-627-2887

On Thursday, May 26, one of this year’s two fledgling bald eagles at Fort Donelson National Battlefield died after an apparent fall from its nest.  The young eagle was one of two offspring produced by the famed Fort Donelson nesting pair, comprising eaglet numbers 32 and 33 since the pair first produced offspring on the national park unit in 2004.

 According to Fort Donelson Superintendent Brian McCutchen, “We are saddened by the sudden loss of the fledgling.  Every year the offspring of the nesting pair instill fascination, learning, and enjoyment to visitors from across the nation and around the globe.  This fledgling and its sibling have proven no different.”

Late on Thursday morning one of the park’s dedicated eagle watchers noticed that only one of the fledglings could be seen in the nest.  After looking downward toward the base of the tree that holds the nest, he could view the missing offspring on the ground, appearing to have difficulty in moving.  After notifying park staff, rangers arrived, already in consultation with biologists and officers of the US Fish and Wildlife Service for direction.
 

“Upon our arrival the young eagle could not sit up and appeared listless and exhausted,” stated Park Ranger Garnet Tritt.  The fledgling was soon secured and transferred to an officer from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to take it to a certified Eagle sanctuary for medical assessment and treatment.  It reportedly died soon after leaving the national park.
 

According to McCutchen, “A necropsy will occur on the fledgling in order to assess the cause of death, be it the fall from the nest, possible disease, or perhaps a combination of causes.”  According to biologists with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, on average, seventy percent of bald eagle offspring do not survive the first year.
 

Despite the loss of the fledgling for eagle watchers at Fort Donelson, the remains, pending no finding of disease, may be used for a continued benefit after being transferred to the National Eagle Repository.  The center is a one-of-a-kind facility that receives, evaluates, stores, and distributes dead golden and bald eagles, parts and feathers to Native Americans and Alaska Natives who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes throughout the United States for ceremonial and educational purposes.

The Park reminds the public of the positive that one of this year’s fledglings remains for visitor viewing, learning and enjoyment.  As always, everyone is encouraged to keep a safe distance from the eagles when they are out and about, to remain outside of the designated habitat area, and to “take only pictures and leave only footprints.”