Popular Eagle at NE Iowa Park Dies from Infection

A bald eagle that had delighted visitors for many years at a Northeast Iowa park, has now died from medical complications.

In a news release sent out today (Tuesday) by Buchanan County Naturalist Sondra Cabell, "Edwina" was being treated for Aspergillosis, which is a fungal respiratory infection.

The eagle first came to Fontana Park, south of Hazleton, in 1989, after she was observed flying into a road sign in Monona County. The bird, estimated to be about 5 years old at the time, was treated at the Wildlife Care Clinic in Ames, where they had to amputate it's right wing.

A few months later, Edwina arrived at the Buchanan County Conservation Center. At that time, it was thought the bird was a male. However in 2008, technicians from the MacBride Raptor Center performed wellness checks on all of the birds at Fontana Park, and determined the eagle was female.

Edwina resided at the wildlife display for 26 years, calling out to visiting tourists.

She was more than 30 years old when she died while being treated for the infection at the Wildlife Care Clinic, on July 19th.

Edwina's medical expenses have totaled nearly $2,000, which is a lot more than budgeted for vet care for the park's animals. Anyone interested in helping offset the medical costs may make donations to "Friends of Fontana Park", 1883 125th Street, Hazleton, Iowa, 50644, and indicate "Eagle Medical Expenses" on the memo.