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Queens Zoo News
Mel Turns His Eagle Eyes on Claire II
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S. Bolduc©WCS
| Bald eagle Mel is looking sharp these days, thanks to the arrival of a new mate, Claire II. She is named after former Queens Borough President Claire Schulman, who helped the Queens Zoo acquire its original female bald eagle when it first opened in 1992. Ms. Shulman’s husband is
Mel’s namesake.
Claire II hails from the Mercer County Wildlife Center in New Jersey, where she was taken after suffering a wing injury that impaired her ability to fly. Today she’s busy exploring the rocks and logs in her new outdoor habitat in Flushing Meadows, and getting acquainted with Mel. He is also a rescued bird, brought to the Zoo after falling from a tree as a nestling in Louisiana.
Our national symbol, the bald eagle is found across North America, from Canada to northern Mexico. These raptors were once numerous, but the species declined over time due to excessive hunting, a diminished food supply, pollution, and the introduction of the pesticide DDT. Protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the bald eagle has been upgraded from Endangered to Threatened. The Wildlife Conservation Society’s North America Program has helped bald eagles recover through its support for more than 30 U.S. parks and reserves. These include the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Olympic National Park, nesting grounds for the majestic birds.
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