Bacterial infection killed bald eagle found in DuPage
Tests show a "massive bacterial infection" caused the death of an American bald eagle that was found several weeks ago near Darien.
The injured raptor was discovered Sept. 29 along the southbound off ramp from I-55 at Cass Avenue. He died a day later at Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn.
Willowbrook officials, who previously nursed the eagle back to health in early 2014, said at the time they believed the bird was suffering from an illness.
On Thursday, the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, which operates the center, said in a written statement that a full necropsy done by the University of Illinois determined the eagle had a massive bacterial infection in its bloodstream that was "likely the result of puncture wounds on its wings and knees."
In addition, the bird's liver and adrenal glands were severely infected, according to Willowbrook staff veterinarian Jen Nevis. The cause of the puncture wounds is unknown, officials said.
Nevis, according to the statement, speculated that the puncture wounds may have been caused by a full-body impact - not an animal attack. It's unknown if the wounds grounded the eagle or if he sustained the injuries once on the ground, she said.
Willowbrook officials were able to determine the eagle's past because he had a metal band on from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It's believed he was at least 5 years old.