re: Kisatchie lost an eagle

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Why did Anna have to be euthanized so quickly rather than wait 48 to 72 hours for the test results?

1) Anna was suffering

2) LSU does not have a bio-secure area to hold sick animals. Since Anna appeared to have HPAI, if they kept her and it was confirmed she had the disease, they would have to euthanize every bird in their facility – including three eagles undergoing rehabilitation, a Cooper’s Hawk, and many other raptors and various other birds. Avian Flu is a serious, deadly disease of all birds that is of grave concern.

Anna, the female in E-1 (mate is Louis), was already showing signs of being unwell as of Jan. 1. However, her symptoms were a little different from Andria (the female eagle of E-3 which died on 12/8/2023, cause still unknown, waiting on necropsy results.) Anna was last seen on Saturday; but made an appearance on Sunday at dusk when ANOTHER female eagle ambushed her in mid-air and knocked her to the ground! Everything was caught on the eagle cams so Forest Service staff were able to hasten to the site and capture Anna using a large net and blanket.

Anna was transferred to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Hospital in Baton Rouge for assessment by wildlife biologist tech, Cody Austell.

MEANWHILE, “As the Nest Turns,” a NEW pair of eagles have done a walk-through of the E-3 nest and may decide to take up residence if they like the neighborhood as Alex has flown the proverbial coop and not been seen for days. Louis has tried to continue to incubate his and Anna’s single egg while a new Female has appeared and tried to get cozy. He was having none of it but she is persistent and continues to hang around. She may have been the culprit who chased poor Anna away and knocked her down.

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