ZOO ATLANTA IS SADDENED BY THE PASSING OF SEQUOYAH THE BALD EAGLE

ATLANTA - August 7, 2024 - The Zoo Atlanta family is saddened to share news of the passing of Sequoyah, a male bald eagle, on August 7, 2024.

Hatched in the wild, Sequoyah sustained a wing injury, most probably as a result of a collision with a power line, and underwent rehabilitation at the Southeast Raptor Center. According to federal law, all bald eagles which are capable of being released into the wild must be released into the wild. Due to the nature of Sequoyah's wing injury, however, he was determined to be non-releasable and in need of a permanent home in human care. He arrived at Zoo Atlanta in June 2015 in a move approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

While it is known that Sequoyah was an adult when he arrived at Zoo Atlanta, his age is not known. Although Sequoyah's original wing injury healed, in recent weeks, the Animal Care and Veterinary Teams observed that he may have been experiencing increased discomfort in his wing. Following close monitoring, the Veterinary Team conducted diagnostic procedures which revealed a poor prognosis. The teams made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize Sequoyah on August 7.

"Sequoyah was a magnificent individual who introduced countless Zoo Members and guests to the majesty of a national symbol, and he represented a conservation story for one of North America's most treasured native species," said Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation. "As he was a bird who was not going to be able to survive in the wild, we are honored to have been able to provide him with the best possible home and care over the past nine years."

Best known as a national symbol of the United States, bald eagles are a federally protected species currently considered threatened in Georgia. They are found only in North America, ranging north from Canada and Alaska and through the contiguous United States and into northern Mexico. They are most often spotted near coasts, rivers and large lakes, as their diet consists primarily of fish.

Their most pressing threats are power line collisions, as was likely the case with Sequoyah, as well as automobile collisions, lead poisoning, and pollution.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
[email protected]
404.624.2812

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations and Communications Specialist
404.624.5980
[email protected]

About Zoo Atlanta
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include giant pandas.; one of North America's largest zoological populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include the African Savanna, featuring new and expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; Savanna Hall, a state-of-the-art special event destination in the restored historic former home of the Atlanta Cyclorama; and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Plaza. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.