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Mourning the Loss of Murphy, the Beloved Bald Eagle

The avian community is in mourning following the passing of Murphy, a well-known bald eagle recognized for his unique behavior of incubating a rock in 2023. The 33-year-old eagle, who lived well beyond the typical lifespan of his species, died recently at the World Bird Sanctuary located in Valley Park, Missouri, particularly following a series of severe storms that swept through the region.

Officials at the sanctuary reported that Murphy’s passing occurred after a tumultuous weather event that resulted in significant damage and unfortunately claimed 12 lives in the area. Although the sanctuary’s shelters are designed to protect birds from harsh weather conditions, it appears that Murphy’s situation may have been exacerbated by the intensity of the storms.

Despite having contingency plans in place, the sanctuary did not carry out evacuations as there were no tornado warnings issued for the facility. Fortunately, three other birds sheltered alongside Murphy did survive the storm conditions.

A necropsy conducted by a veterinarian revealed that Murphy suffered from head trauma. The sanctuary issued a statement indicating that it remains unclear whether Murphy’s injury was the result of a fright leading to an accidental head impact or if it was influenced by the severe weather conditions.

Murphy was a resident of the sanctuary’s Avian Avenue exhibit, where he gained fame by nurturing a rock, a behavior that showcased his nurturing instincts. This behavior led to an opportunity to care for an injured eaglet, which he successfully rehabilitated and ultimately released back into the wild. A second eaglet was subsequently entrusted to his care and is anticipated to be released later this summer.

To honor Murphy’s contributions and memory, the sanctuary plans to name the eagle fostering area “Murphy’s Manor,” ensuring that his legacy will be recognized for years to come.

Source
www.yahoo.com