Waḣca Finds a New Place to Perch

When injured wildlife is discovered, rehabilitation for release back into the wild is typically the priority. However, sometimes an animal’s injuries mean that is not an option. This was the case with new Minnesota Trail resident, Waḣca. Waḣca, a 1-year-old bald eagle, was rescued in August of 2024 on the shore of the Wapsipinicon River near Donahue, Iowa by Hog Capital Wildlife Rescue & Rehab. The nonprofit organization, located in northwestern Illinois, arrived at the scene and found the young bird unable to fly.

After an assessment and x-rays, it was discovered that she had a broken wing, and the bone had already begun to callus. Due to this condition, the wing could not be fully healed and Waḣca’s ability to fly had become limited, meaning release into the wild was not an option. Experts provided her with care until she was ready to move to her new forever home here at the Zoo.

Since her arrival, she has been blossoming. In fact, Waḣca means flower in Dakota language — a beautiful and fitting name chosen by the Youth Leadership Council of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community with which the Zoo partners. Guests walking the Minnesota Trail may notice that Waḣca is perched on lower branches than you may expect of an eagle. This is due to her injury. The damage to her wing makes it difficult for her to move between higher and lower perches.

However, this hasn’t diminished her curiosity! Zookeepers report that she is quite curious about people and has been spending time observing visitors. Similarly observant guests may notice that Waḣca doesn’t look like the typical picture of a bald eagle and may find themselves asking “where is her bald head and yellow beak?”

This all-brown appearance is due to her age. At only 1-year-old, she hasn’t yet developed her iconic white head-feathers and yellow beak. With time, this coloration will continue to fill out, reaching full maturation at around 5 years old. You can come meet Waḣca now on the Zoo’s Minnesota Trail!