Elders assist with release of once injured eagle

A rehabilitated eagle was released by Kim Relcalma-Clutsei, a member of the Qualicum Band, on Saturday, April 7.

Bird handler Julie Mackey who assisted Relcalma-Clutsei with the release said it was exciting and nerve wracking at the same time.

"You want everything to go perfect … and it always does," she said.

The eagle was taken to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRC) in Errington, BC on December 9 last year after it was rescued near the Big Qualicum River Fish Hatchery.

Members of the Qualicum Band had notified them about the distressed eagle and were helpful during the rescue and she said it was a thrill to have some of them at the centre for it's release.

Sylvia Campbell of the NIWRC said the eagle wasn't wounded but it had eagle lice and was very thin when they took it in.  She happily announced that after four months of being treated at the centre it was strong and ready for release.

Before the eagle release, Chief Adam Dick drumming a traditional drum, sang a freedom song in the bird's honor titled "Kania".

Relcalma-Clutsei told the large crowd on hand that for Native people, the eagle is very sacred. She thanked everyone at NIWRC and said the community must continue to support them.

She said 30 years ago she took part in an eagle release at the Big Qualicum River and the release on Saturday brought back memories and a lot of emotion.

"It hurts my feelings that eagles on the Big Qualicum are starving," she stated.

Once the eagle was released, it spread its wings and flew off over an appreciative crowd.