Sequoia the Golden Eagle

Sequoia is a golden eagle that a Fish and Game warden brought to us. He had received a call from an inebriated man from Madera claiming to have found an eagle hit by a car along the side of the road. When the warden arrived, the eagle had its talons sunk into the man's forearm. The man didn't seem to be feeling any pain until the warden broke the unhappy news that there was no reward for turning in an injured eagle. Sequoia suffered a severe blow to the right side of his head causing blindness.

Despite cortisone treatments, his blindness continued to impair his ability to feed himself. He had to be force-fed for over two months. Finally he regained enough of his vision to see food dangled in front of him. After several months of "cooperative" feeding, Sequoia was finally able to eat on his own.

At first his plumage looked ragged especially his right wing, but again with time his flight feathers have grown back though he will never be able to be released. When he is disturbed, he circles his head trying to make the best of what little vision he has. This summer we will begin to work with Sequoia in the hopes that he will become a new educational ambassador for Critter Creek Wildlife Station.

Eagles require special equipment because of their size and strength. The gloves are double layered and fit above the elbow. If you wish to help Sequoia and the future eagles rehabbed at Critter Creek, you can contribute to the eagle hood fund. The bird of prey hoods we currently have are too small for an eagle. The hoods are used to keep the eagles calm during medical treatment.

Back