Eight Eagles Fall Ill After Eating Euthanized Farm Animals at New Jersey Landfill

Eight bald eagles got sick after they ate the bodies of euthanized farm animals at a Warren County landfill in April. Six birds finished their medical care and flew back to the wild.

An animal control officer spotted three eagles on April 12 at the site, according to New Jersey News 12. The officer returned the next day with Fish and Wildlife officials. They discovered a fourth bird. All four went to The Raptor Trust in Millington for treatment.

Officials located four more sick eagles and one dead eagle at the Warren County landfill in Oxford on April 29 and 30. State and federal wildlife services figured out what happened. The birds had been eating uncovered bodies of farm animals that someone brought to the landfill for disposal.

The eagles consumed medicine used during the euthanasia process while they scavenged. Among the first three birds discovered, the group had one adult and two juveniles.

NJDEP Fish and Wildlife worked with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to investigate what occurred. The agencies concluded that drugs present in the animal remains made the birds sick.

Two eagles remain under care at The Raptor Trust. The six released birds recovered from their exposure to the euthanasia drugs.

The NJDEP is working with landfill staff to make sure they follow operating procedures required to protect human health and wildlife. The department stated this includes making sure that animal bodies get properly covered to prevent scavenging.

The work follows permits that govern landfill operations. State officials are watching compliance. They want to prevent future incidents involving wildlife at the disposal site.

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