Project Report
| Dec 3, 2014
Norbert the Wedge-Tailed Eagle
![Norbert the Wedge-tailed eagle]()
Norbert the Wedge-tailed eagle
Age: Adult Sex: Unknown Weight: 3.4kgs
Found: Walking around on the ground near bushland in Narangba and unable to fly.
Transported to: The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital by a member of the public. It took four people to safely catch and contain the large bird.
Veterinary Assessment: Norbert was bright and alert on arrival to the hospital. Although he was unable to fly his walking and running ability was good. He was anaesthetised for assessment and sadly Dr Claude found a gunshot wound in his right wing. The gun pellet not only left a large, open wound and extensive bruising but an x-ray also revealed a fracture to his ulna bone.
Treatment: Dr Claude flushed the wound to clean out debris and pellet fragments. The wound was covered over and the entire wing was also bandaged
to keep it still. Norbert was given fluids, antibiotics to fight infection and pain relief medication.
Future: Norbert is presently in the birds ICU at the Wildlife Hospital in a large enclosure where he will remain until his injuries heal. Once his fracture has
healed he will be transferred to a larger aviary facility at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast where he will have the opportunity to fly
and learn to use his wing again. Once he gains full use he will be released back into the wild.
AZWH Fact: Wedge-tailed eagles are the largest bird of prey in Australia and are a protected native animal. Someone caught shooting them could be faced with a $40,000 fine and a jail term
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