Peter Karsten couldnsa国际传媒檛 help being emotional when he cradled a rehabilitated eagle in his arms before releasing it back to the wild on Vancouver Island this weekend.
The former Calgary zookeeper was given the honour of freeing a one-year-old bald eagle that was rescued from near Nanaimo by Derek Downes, animal care supervisor at Erringtonsa国际传媒檚 North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRC), and nursed back to health.
The release celebration was held on Saturday afternoon at the NIWRC in front of a huge crowd, with some capturing the joyful moment with long-lens cameras while others videoing the release using their cellphones.
Karsten, who is from nearby Denman Island and worked at the Calgary Zoo for more than 30 years, was tearful when he tried to calm down the eagle in his arms while walking around to show off the healed bird of prey, who suffered from injured radius and ulna. Following that, he let go of the eagle, which spread its wings and soared above the crowd, who were awed and excited to see the bird fly off to the skies.
sa国际传媒淚t was a very emotional experience,sa国际传媒� said Karsten.
sa国际传媒淚 must say, I had to wipe some tears off my eyes because itsa国际传媒檚 such an incredible accomplishment. Itsa国际传媒檚 such a wonderful event. Robin and Derek were of great understanding that I wanted to hold the eagle with my bare hands and not in gloves so you can feel the eagle.sa国际传媒�
READ MORE:
Karsten said he has handled eagles in the past but this occasion was different and difficult to match.
sa国际传媒淭o have an eagle that is destined to die, starve to death and unable to survive being taken here and rehabilitated to fly off again,sa国际传媒� said Karsten. sa国际传媒淭hat is so extraordinary.sa国际传媒�
The invitation to release the eagle has inspired Karsten to create a piece of art, a seven-foot steel depiction of an eagle release.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 just a highlight in my life,sa国际传媒� said Karsten. sa国际传媒淚 was a zookeeper and zoo director for 30 years and itsa国际传媒檚 still very, very special. I am so very grateful.sa国际传媒�
The event kicked off with a First Nations drum beating ritual and a raven song led by artist Bill Helin.
The NIWRC has been busy and continues to receive injured eagles and other animals, including bears. They are a non-profit society that relies on fundraising, donations and sponsorships.
If you wish to help, visit
