Caught and released

NAS Whidbey Island | Feb 11, 20150

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This eagle was captured at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s Ault Field under the Bird Air Strike Hazard Program in April 2012, released more than 150 miles south of the base and turned up last week in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. – Photo by Christin Sasse

This eagle was captured at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s Ault Field under the Bird Air Strike Hazard Program in April 2012 and was released more than 150 miles south of the base.

Last week the bird was spotted with several other eagles at a landfill in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The eagle was still wearing a brown-colored leg band.

According to Dane Ledbetter, a U.S. Department of Agriculture wildlife biologist at the air station, this eagle was one of the very first banded aboard the air base through a permit from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The capture and release program helps keep both eagles and aircraft safe from one another.

– Photo by Christin Sasse, information courtesy of the U.S. Navy