Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska -- The bi-annual cage cleaning
for the Bald Eagle Aviary-Yukata/Wounded Warriors Memorial here happened Saturday, May 06. Technical Sgt. Krystle Quintana and volunteers took
time to clean, organize and prep the eagle’s
cage for the next season. Quintana has been the primary volunteer coordinator
for the Elmendorf Bald Eagle Aviary since 2014, making the eagles’ habitat a
success. Presently, there are 18 volunteers who help maintain the bald eagles’
home, not only to ensure a safe environment for the birds, but also to provide
an educational central point for our national symbol, the bald eagle.
Meet Notch Wing and
One Eyed Jack, they are bald eagles that call the aviary at JBER home.
“Notch Wing was rescued and brought
to Elmendorf Air Force base for sanctuary in 1992. He was wounded by a gunshot
to his left wing. He lost the ability to regenerate several primary feathers,
which prevents him from flying distances greater than a few feet,” said Kerry
Seifert, retired master sergeant and founder of the aviary. “One-eyed Jack, as
his name indicates, lost one of his eyes. He also sustained an injury to his
right wing that ruined his complete ability to fly. Jack was rescued and
brought to the Elmendorf Air Force Base for sanctuary in 1999.”
The eagles cannot be released due to their
previous injuries but, according to Quintana, “the birds are in good hands and
receive regular checkups from qualified vetinarians.”
“I volunteer because I care about the birds and I want to
make sure they are taken care of,” said Senior Airman Mathew Warnecke, member
of the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron and co-coordinator of the aviary. “I feel
it is my duty to give my time to the birds and community so others can enjoy
and learn more about eagles … so that what happened to them may not happen to other
birds. Lucky for these birds they are in a place where they can be appreciated
and cared for by the military members and family.”
Stop by
sometime and visit the Elmendorf Bald Eagle Aviary, there are brochures if you
want to know more about eagles and, of course, Notch Wing and One Eyed Jack
would like to say hi.