Rockville’s Meadowside Nature Center announced the death of their resident bald eagle, Orion, on Wednesday.
Orion, who had been with Montgomery Parks for more than 20 years, was euthanized Tuesday by the attending veterinarian. He faced age-related conditions including arthritis and decreased mobility that affected his quality of life, according to a press release from Montgomery Parks.
Bald eagles typically live 20 years in the wild. Orion is believed to be about 30 years old, according to the press release. He joined Montgomery Parks in 1998 after a commercial fishing line in Alaska damaged his left wing and left him unable to survive in the wild.
Once labeled as endangered in Maryland, bald eagles were removed from the Federal Endangered Species list in 2007, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The birds can now be found in Maryland year-round, including at a variety of Montgomery Parks.
Orion has been a cherished member of Meadowside community, according to the press release. He greeted hikers, participated in various activities and could be seen up close by visitors at the nature center’s raptor deck, Carolina Giraldo, director of Meadowside Nature Center, said in the press release.
“Orion’s impact on our staff and thousands of visitors over the years can’t be overstated,” Giraldo said in the press release. “It will be very quiet without him at Meadowside, and we will miss him very much.”
