Flying in on Alaska Airlines from Sitka, Alaska, a magnificent bald eagle was transferred to Curator Diane Dragotto Williams, through U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

On his arrival, Dratini (Pokeman name meaning “little dragon”), at 11 p.m. at night, he was freed from his transport carrier by “Outback Zack”.  

Our Wildhaven Ranch team, Anna Gamez and Carla Ortega, was also on hand to assist if there were needs due to 10 hrs of being in containment.

Rescued by The Alaska Raptor Center, in February of 2010, Dratini already had his white head, making him at least 5 years old. 

Finding metal on the badly injured left wing tip, the eagle underwent a partial wing amputation, resulting in Dratini designated as a non-releasable bird of prey.

It’s not unusual for bald eagles to tangle with the wing props of small airplanes landing in Sitka, which may have caused his injury. 

However, after 7 years of close scrutiny at the Center, living among other rehabilitated eagles, the twelve year old Dratini was destined to relocate to Lake Arrowhead, California to Wildhaven Ranch!

Dratini has a healthy appetite, and loves fresh salmon (don’t we all), and moves well around his new enclosure.  We are privileged to have this timid, wild bald who needs time to adjust to visitors.

When you adopt an Animal Ambassador for yourself, or as a gift for your family or friends, you invest directly into the life of that Wild One! You help supply food and veterinary care for a creature that was once injured or orphaned! You can make a difference to that Animal Being!