*Ø* Blogmanac | Predator Kills Bald Eagle At National Zoo
National Bird Dies On Independence Day

WASHINGTON -- A bald eagle, the living symbol of the United States, died at the National Zoo on the Fourth of July, apparently after being attacked by a large cat.

Zoo officials suspect that a bobcat got into the eagle's enclosure and took advantage of the fact that he couldn't fly. Officials speculate the eagle was injured in a fierce rainstorm earlier in the week.

The male eagle died the same day that the zoo celebrated a new exhibit designed especially for bald eagles hurt in the wild. The dead eagle was housed separately from the zoo's two new eagles that were donated by the American Eagle Foundation based at singer Dolly Parton's Dollywood theme park.

Park officials said the bobcats live in nearby Rock Creek Park.

The bald eagle died Friday after suffering severe puncture wounds to its abdomen and back.

The eagle was caged alone near the Bird House and could not fly. A zookeeper found the male Thursday suffering from puncture wounds to his abdomen. Zoo officials said they believed another animal burrowed under the wire mesh enclosure.

The eagle didn't live with two younger bald eagles that star in an exhibit that recently opened at the zoo.

The eagle's death is the latest in a series of animal deaths at the park. A congressionally requested panel is expected to begin studying the deaths and animal care at the zoo.

Source
[Thanks to Lisa for this sadly ironic item. -v]