Healesville’s long-staying ‘wedgie’ patient soars again in the wild

AFTER 389 DAYS, a mighty wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax) has soared back into the sky following life-saving care at Healesville Sanctuary’s state of-the-art Raptor Rehabilitation Centre.  

Aptly named ‘Storm’ – after breaking 11 of his primary feathers during a storm-event in February 2024 – this fine example of Australia’s biggest bird of prey was grounded, exhausted and hungry when a thoughtful water treatment plant operator rescued him at Bass in the Gippsland region of Victoria. 

Vets assume the two-year-old ‘wedgie’ misjudged the intensity of wild weather conditions, choosing to fly when he should have been hunkering down.   

Primary feathers are essential for a bird to achieve flight. In Storm’s case, these feathers were broken mid-shaft, leaving him unable to gain lift.

Since it can take up to 18 months for feathers to fully regrow, this severely impacted Storm’s ability to survive. Flight is not just a skill for birds – it is crucial for their daily life and survival. 

Innovative feather rehab treatment

To help Storm, an innovative procedure called ‘imping’ was used. This method is akin to fitting a prosthetic limb, where donor feathers from a deceased bird are carefully matched to the damaged ones. The hollow feather shafts are then carefully glued together to create a fully functional feather.

In some instances, bamboo is added for extra support and stability. This process not only restores the bird’s ability to fly but also offers a sense of normalcy until its original feathers naturally moult and are replaced. 

It was an arduous wait for the final feathers to grow, while maintaining flight fitness – and this ended up making this eagle the longest patient to stay at the Healesville wildlife hospital. Since then, a feather bank has been set up by the Zoos Victoria Raptor Rehabilitation Centre to help other birds in the future.  

Recently the veterinary team and treatment plant operator who rescued Storm returned the eagle to where he was found.  

Bittersweet farewell for Storm

Healesville Sanctuary vet nurse, Chris Stitt spent countless hours looking after Storm. He admitted, it was bittersweet to see the eagle soar overhead “as if to say thank you” before flying off into a sunny sky. 

“Caring for Storm is one of those reasons to jump out of bed in the morning,” Mr Stitt said.

“It’s a privilege to care for such a beautiful creature. Seeing him fly in the Raptor Rehab Centre took my breath away each time.  

“He has proven all the hard work is truly worth it. We have been able to learn so much from him.

“Watching Storm returning to the wild is both sad and exhilarating. He has been a big part of our family at the Australian Wildlife Health Centre for so long. He’s an example of the great things our team can achieve.” 

Westernport Water senior treatment plant operator Tony Ferres, who rescued Storm, will continue to keep an eye on him.  

“It was incredible to see Storm take flight once again. A heartfelt thank you to the team at Healesville Sanctuary for their dedicated care and rehabilitation,” Mr Ferres said.  

“We’re fortunate to have a resident population of wedge-tailed eagles here, and it’s a privilege to see them thrive in the wild.” 

Since the Raptor Rehabilitation Centre opened at Healesville Sanctuary in November 2023, 89 raptors, including 21 wedge-tailed eagles, have benefited from the facility.

The building is one of largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere and forms a continuous 100m loop so injured birds can build up their flight fitness to hunt for food and avoid predators in the wild.

www.zoo.org.au

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