05/09/2026
Today it's all about Invictus! Supporters will recall that about a year ago a badly injured mature male Bald Eagle was admitted to our hospital. He was missing the outer 1/3rd of his right wing. He would never fly again, and could never be released. Dr Kim made a decision that day that changed his life, her life, and Winged Freedom's goal of public outreach.
From that day forward to the present, his life pivoted from wild, breeding adult eagle, to trainee for ambassador work. His horrible wound was treated and healed. Dr Kim applied for permanent custody and immediately started earning his trust. And other than a few days she has taken off, the two of them have trained every single day.
Simultaneously, we received generous funding from a private donor to build a custom enclosure for the bird. Heat, air conditioning, safe windows, a screened porch, a nice big bath, and adapted perches were all built for him. And he earned his name, Invictus, because his life has changed but still has great value and quality. Invictus is a poem about inner strength overcoming adversity. This eagle could teach us all about that!
And so today is moving day. The last of the projects is done and he is spending his first afternoon settling in. He has come so far in his trust building and training. When he is ready, the community will get to meet him and he will teach people all about Bald Eagles. Today Invictus is trying all of his perches, checking out the views from each window. It's not life in the wild, but it will be a good life!
