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Bald Eagle Exhibit Grows to Two

Young, New Female Bald Eagle at the EcoTarium Needs a Name!

Worcester, Mass. – May 21, 2018 – Joining Bob the new Bald Eagle at the EcoTarium museum of science and nature is a year-old female. She comes to the EcoTarium from a Florida rehabilitation facility: the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, as did Bob. In fact, the two birds lived together for a time in Florida (she was known to rehabilitators as Bald Eagle 570-17). Like Bob, this young eagle was placed at the EcoTarium because a permanent wing injury prevents her from flying well enough to live in the wild.

Unlike Bob, the new female needs a name! The EcoTarium is asking the public to help pick her name. The name choices are: Dianne, Davis, and Quabbin. All three names honor Dianne Davis, who recently retired as a keeper at the EcoTarium. For a donation of $5.00 or more, votes can be cast onsite at the Tickets & Information Desk, or online with this link. (link is external)

Davis was instrumental in the state program which re-introduced Bald Eagles to Massachusetts. She spent the summer of 1985 living alone on the shores of the Quabbin Reservoir caring for eight eaglets, feeding them fish that she pulled from the water. Davis published “Eagle One, A Personal Journey” about her experience and career devoted to wildlife and education.

It will be easy for a few years to tell the eagles apart. Like all young Bald Eagles, this female has a brown head. She is a second year bald eagle so she will remain brown/speckled in color for at least another three years. Her head will become fully white when she is mature, at five years of age.

Bob and the soon to be named female Bald Eagle are typical of the animals living on EcoTarium grounds that no longer live in the wild due to injuries, illness, and human socialization. All animals are housed in enclosures that have been specially designed to meet the natural needs of the species as well as to accommodate any physical limitations of the individual animal. All animal residents receive regular check-ups from their vets and daily interaction with their caretakers.

About the EcoTarium
EcoTarium is New England’s leading museum of science and nature, an indoor-outdoor experience dedicated to inspiring a passion for science and nature in visitors of all ages. Founded in 1825, it has been a leader in informal science and nature education for nearly 200 years, and today welcomes more than 165,000 visitors per year. Highlights of the 55-acre campus include a museum building with three floors of interactive exhibits, the Alden Digital Planetarium: A National Geographic Theater, daily Science Discovery programs, live animal habitats, nature trails through forest and meadow, seasonal narrow-gauge railroad Explorer Express Train, and its expansive interactive outdoor exhibit, Nature Explore®. It also offers a variety of sponsorship, membership, and giving opportunities for businesses and organizations.

The EcoTarium, located at 222 Harrington Way in Worcester, Mass., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sundays 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. General admission is $18 for adults, $14 for children 2-18, $14 for seniors 65+ and students with ID, and children under 2 are free. Planetarium shows and Explorer Express Train require additional ticket. Parking is free. For more information, visit ecotarium.org.