The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) has determined that the cause of death of the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam eaglets was bird flu.
“Our CROW team mourns the loss of eaglets E24 and E25, along with our community and those who have been watching the Eagle Cam from near and far. Our purpose and our passion are caring for our native wildlife, and the loss is heartbreaking for all of us. We extend our gratitude to everyone who has reached out with words of support,” a release on behalf of CROW states.
On Jan. 27, after learning of E24’s death in the nest off Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers, CROW was granted federal and state authorization to remove E24 from the nest but did not have authorization to remove its sibling, E25.
“CROW staff performed a visual exam and found E25 bright and alert with no signs of stress,” the release states. “CROW then notified the public that it had retrieved E24 and a necropsy would be performed. Early morning on Tuesday, Jan. 28, CROW learned that E25 had seized and fallen from the nest overnight, and two CROW team members met with a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer to retrieve E25. A CROW veterinarian was on hand and prepared to render aid if the eaglet was still alive. Sadly, E25 was found to be deceased on scene and was sent off for advanced testing.
“Late evening on Wednesday, Jan. 29, CROW received notification that the two eaglets tested positive for Avian Influenza (HPAI). Per protocols, last night CROW’s medical director notified state and federal agencies.
“The current strain of avian influenza is a highly pathogenic form of the H5N1 virus, which has caused devastating losses in the birds it affects. While some birds, such as waterfowl, can shed the virus while remaining asymptomatic, other species, such as birds of prey, are highly susceptible and can succumb to the disease rapidly, as we witnessed with the eaglets in this nest.
“At this time, CROW does not have authorization to attempt capture of the adult eagle parents, M15 and F23. This task would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, and unsafe because they are both flighted eagles. CROW continues to work in partnership with the Pritchett family, dedicated volunteers, USFWS and FWC to monitor the wellbeing of the adult eagles and we will respond if necessary — while mindful of the safety of the animals and people involved.”
Should the public find a weak or grounded eagle or other wildlife, they are asked to notify the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-3922 or CROW at 239-322-5068, as the animals should be handled as if they are positive for the virus.
ORIGINAL (Jan. 29, 2025):
SWFL Eaglets Die; CROW Seeks Answers
When watching the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam, viewers see the best Mother Nature has to offer.
Fans worldwide witness North Fort Myers’ most famous eagle pair rebuild their nest, lay eggs, nurture their brood as they hatch, and then care for their young until they fledge and survive on their own.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature has a darker side.
On Jan. 26, viewers saw E24 pass away after a short illness. The death of E25 followed on Jan. 28 at about 3 a.m. when the young eaglet fell from the nest off of Bayshore Road showing similar symptoms.
“We think it was something contagious, but we can’t speculate what it could be. We’re working with CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife) and local wildlife officials to do a necropsy on both eaglets,” Southwest Florida Eagle Cam founder Virginia Pritchett-McSpadden said on Jan. 28. “They have some ideas what it could be, but don’t know for certain and don’t want to give disinformation.”
E24 was showing signs of distress on Jan. 26 at about 6:41 p.m., she said. The eaglet succumbed quickly. E25 showed the same symptoms as E24 and suffered what appeared to be a seizure before falling out of the nest.
E24 was 43 days old, about halfway to the time eaglets fledge and about the time they are able to feed themselves. E25 was 42 days old.
The parents, M15 and F23, have shown signs of grieving in the nest, Pritchett-McSpadden said. They have stayed close to the nest and even brought in a fish for E25.
She said these developments have left fans questioning what the future of the nest might hold, but they are waiting for facts.
“I don’t want to comment or speculate. We’re not sure what happened. We’re in uncharted territory. We’ve never seen anything like this before,” Pritchett-McSpadden said. “We’re watching and waiting to see like everyone else. I hope they’re able to start their new normal.”
What that new normal will entail is unknown. M15 has some experience. In late 2019, he and former mate Harriett had a clutch of two eggs. One egg was not viable, and the second eaglet died a few weeks after birth after ingesting poison.
In early 2020, M15 and Harriett tried again and had a second clutch that hatched in April of 2020. Both eaglets fledged.
“In the past we’ve had some sad events and we always show Mother Nature at its best and worst. If viewers are too upset by what happened and have stopped tuning in, we understand,” she said. “We hope this is not the end of the story for F and M. We hope that what happened to the eaglets does not spread to them.”
Pritchett-McSpadden said if they receive any updates, viewers will be notified.
Egg No. 1 was laid on Nov. 8 at 2:38 p.m., and E24 hatched on Dec. 14 at 4:01 p.m. Egg No. 2 was laid on Nov. 11 at 6:15 p.m. and hatched on Dec. 17 at 5:48 a.m.
For live updates, visit dickpritchettrealestate.com/southwest-florida-eagle-cam/.
