VIDEO: Zoo's eagles get more room, open air in enclosure

NORFOLK

Abe and Jefferson, the Virginia Zoo's two bald eagles, like gazing at the sky and birds flying overhead - sights they have not seen in many years.

For at least the past 14 years, their home at the zoo was an enclosed, covered exhibit. On Friday, they were moved to a new home: a more natural, immersion-style habitat without a ceiling or high walls.

The rescued birds cannot fly; they were injured in the wild. One was shot, and the other was struck by a car.

Zoo staff built the open-air exhibit on a hillside that slopes down to a meadowlike area along North American Trail, next to the bison. A perch shields them from bad weather. The eagles now have views of the duck pond and the Lafayette River.

The enclosure is similar to the one built last year for Yin, the zoo's red panda. The eagles' new habitat cost about $3,900, including labor.

Zoo director Greg Bockheim said the exhibit was constructed in consultation with the zoo's keepers and curators who best know the pair.

"All of the zoo staff is excited to give these noble birds a new exhibit in the sunshine," he said.

Because of their permanent disabilities, the eagles cannot be released into the wild and therefore serve as living educational tools for the zoo. Abe had his right wing amputated and has cataracts. Jefferson has re calcification on his right wing, limiting his movement.

Two years ago, federal authorities declared the bald eagle "recovered" and removed it from the list of threatened species protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com