Scientists track golden eagle as it soars

Golden eagle
This golden eagle is being released back into the wild today, after recuperating from an injury at the U of M Raptor Center for the past month or so.
Image courtesy of the DNR

The weather might not be perfect today, but it won't matter much to one large golden eagle. The eagle will get to be in the wild again, after spending weeks in the Twin Cities, recovering from an injury.

The bird was found in Buffalo County, Wis., in a coyote trap. He was nursed back to health at the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center.

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Researchers will learn more about the golden eagle's movements because when the bird is released later today, around Alma, Wis., a small GPS unit will be strapped on his back.

Golden eagles were thought to be pretty rare in our area, but according to Scott Mehus of the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, that isn't necessarily the case. He talked with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.