6 Warren County eagles released after falling ill from eating farm animal carcasses
Eight sickened eagles were found during searches by NJDEP Fish and Wildlife.
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Six of the eight sickened eagles found in a Warren County landfill last month have completed treatment and been released.
Three eagles — one adult and two juveniles — were originally found on April 12 by an animal control officer. The officer returned the next day with Fish and Wildlife officials and found an additional eagle; all four were taken to The Raptor Trust in Millington.
Subsequent investigations led officials to locate four more sickened eagles and one dead eagle at the Warren County landfill in Oxford on April 29 and 30.
NJDEP Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service determined that the eagles had fed on uncovered carcasses of euthanized domesticated farm animals brought to the landfill for disposal.
All of the eagles ingested medication used in the euthanasia process while scavenging, officials said.
The NJDEP is working with landfill staff to ensure that operating procedures required to protect human health and wildlife are followed in accordance with permits. This includes ensuring that animal carcasses are properly covered to prevent scavenging, according to the department.
Two eagles remain under treatment at The Raptor Trust.
