Spend Independence Day with Symbol of American Freedom

New American eagle exhibit opens at the Virginia Zoo on Friday, July 4th

Norfolk , VA – The Virginia Zoo is pleased to announce the opening of an exhibit habitat for American bald eagles, Abe and Jefferson, on Friday, July 4 in honor of the Independence Day holiday.

The eagle's new open air, immersion-style exhibit is similar to the one built for Yin, the Zoo's red panda. The new eagle exhibit is located on the “North American Walk,” making Jefferson and Abe's new neighbors the mighty American bison, prairie dogs and the native duck pond.

“This new eagle exhibit was created by investigating the specific needs of our birds. We consulted our zookeeping and curatorial staff – the people most familiar with the characteristics and behavior of our individual birds, and our staff expert who has a familairialy with large raptor behavior,” says Greg Bockheim, executive director. “All of the zoo staff is excited to give these noble birds a new exhibit in the sunshine. I am certain that the eagles and zoo visitors will enjoy the new habitat -- it even has water views -- in its very pleasant setting.”

Fascinating facts about the Virginia Zoo eagles include:

• The eagle was chosen as the national symbol in 1782 because of its long life, great strength, and majestic looks.
• The Virginia Zoo eagles are rescued birds, meaning they were injured in the wild and then brought into captivity for treatment. Their permanent injuries make them non-releasable. Abe is an amputee on his right wing and has cataracts. Jefferson has recalcification on his right wing caused by a former injury which decreases his flexibility.
• As non-releasable birds, the Virginia Zoo bald eagles serve as living “educational tools” allowing visitors to learn about the species and see these spectacular animals up close.
• Eagle feathers cannot be owned without a special permit. All loose feathers at the Zoo are collected by keepers and sent to federal agents. On average, bald eagles have 7,000 feathers.
• Bald eagles in Virginia have had a 10% increase in population growth (source: bald eagle survey by Center for Conservation Biology, College of William and Mary).
• The bald eagle is not bald. It has white feathers on its head, neck, and tail, and was named using the Old English word, “ bald ,” which means white.
• However, immature eagles frequently are misidentified as golden eagles because of their dark color and because the white has not developed on their heads. Eagles are mature at 4 to 5 years old.
• Eagles' wingspans range an impressive 6 ½ to 7 ½ feet (they are second in size only to the California condors).
• Bald eagles can swim. They use an overhand movement of the wings that is very much like the butterfly stroke.
• Bald eagles can lift 4 pounds.
• In February 2006, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared the bald eagle "recovered" in the lower48 (continental) states, and removed it from the list of threatened species protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Abe, Jefferson and the Zoo's other animals will be on exhibit daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Virginia Zoo is located at 3500 Granby Street in Norfolk . For more information, call (757) 441-2374.