Whitey, the Golden Eagle that was released on March 25, 2009, was originally found by a bow hunter on November 6, 2008, in Buffalo County. The hunter notified the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources office in Alma, Wisconsin, after they found the bird accidently caught in a leg-hold trap. Conservation officers found the trap to be legal; it was just unfortunate that this golden eagle put his foot down into the hole where the trap was.

The Wisconsin DNR brought the bird to the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota where Education Program Specialists Scott Mehus, Bridget Befort, and Bucky Flores determined that this golden eagle needed immediate attention. It was transferred to The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota.

With the bird under care of the world-renowned staff of the Raptor Center under lead doctor, Luis Cruz, these injuries to its leg were repaired with time, skin grafts, and feather follicle implants. The bird was then scheduled to be released back into the wild. The National Eagle Center, Minnesota Audubon, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Non-Game Wildlife Division, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service have all joined together in a partnership to further study wintering golden eagles in the area. To aid the study, satellite transmitters were provided by the Minnesota DNR Non-Game Wildlife Division.

The partnership is under the leadership of Scott Mehus of the National Eagle Center and Mark Martell of Minnesota Audubon, who have been trying to trap golden eagles so that satellite transmitters can be attached to them for further study of the birds. With the first season under their belts, the researchers are ready with new tactics to hopefully catch some golden eagles next year.

Thankfully, Whitey was available to be used for research purposes. On March 24, 2009, over 25 people gathered at The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota to witness a satellite transmitter being attached to the back of this golden eagle. Mark Martell of Minnesota Audubon was there to attach the transmitter and instruct Scott Mehus and those in attendance on the procedure. Even though attaching a transmitter to a golden eagle was a first for Mark, it definitely has not been the first transmitter attachment; Mark was very active in tracking ospreys here in Minnesota and across the country.

Once the transmitter was attached, the veterinarians did a check-up, and pictures and questions were taken care of. The bird was put back into the mews for one more test flight on Wednesday morning. After the successful test flight with the transmitter in place, Whitely was brought to the release site, near Gilmington, Wisconsin. Then, after a count of three, Scott threw the bird back into the wild. Whitey then flew to a nearby grove of trees and perched for about five minutes until some crows came along and harassed him; so he took off again, giving everyone in attendance great views of this magnificent creature.

Scott lets the bird go.

Whitey flies off