Cass County Today

09/10/2024

UPDATE If you are wondering when they will start to work on Loop 59. I reached out to TXDOT to get an answer. Prep right of way is underway on US 59 through Atlanta. The contractor's schedule shows work on the pavement is scheduled to begin in about two weeks

08/07/2024

07/08/2024

06/02/2024

Atlanta Public Library held their annual Animals at the Library Summer Kick-off Program today. Kids and adults jammed the lower level of the building to learn about and pet a chinchilla, Gila monster, spider monkey, desert fox, wallaby and toucan.
Photos by Kate Stow

04/03/2024

MIKE UPDATE:

Mike the Eagle, found lethargic at a deer lease between Atlanta and the TX/LA line on Easter Sunday, is a very sick bird.

"I called the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center this morning to get a quick update on our eagle," said TPWD Biologist Penny Wilkerson. "They conducted blood testing and determined that he has lead poisoning. They are still caring and evaluating him at the raptor center. Thank you for helping this beautiful creature."

According to Wilkerson, lead poisoning has been on the rise in eagles throughout the country. Research suggests that both bioaccumulation of lead in fish diets and direct ingestion of lead pieces from bullet fragments and/or fishing tackle have been cited as sources of the problem.

The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine has conducted many studies on the issue of lead poisoning in raptors.

From the raptor.umn.edu website:
Lead, a naturally occurring element with no functional role in a plant or animal’s system, is extremely toxic to birds. The Raptor Center’s medical clinic admits over 150 injured and ill bald eagles each year with 80-90% showing some level of lead in their blood. On average, 25-30% of these eagles are documented to have lead toxicity. Most of these majestic birds die or are humanely euthanized to alleviate their extreme suffering.

Research has shown that lead toxicity in eagles and other avian scavengers is strongly correlated with deer hunting season. Eagles and other raptors are exposed to lead through ingestion of gut piles or unrecovered deer contaminated with spent ammunition. Each year in the upper Midwest alone, over half a million deer are harvested, with lead-based products being the most commonly used ammunition. Lead core rifle bullets fragment into hundreds of pieces upon impact, and have been found up to 18 inches from the site of the wound. When eagles and other avian scavengers consume gut piles left on the landscape, they ingest a potentially deadly meal. Even at very low levels of exposure, birds show signs of toxicity, including gastrointestinal dysfunction, neurological impairment, depression, seizures, weakness and death.

Mike will undergo treatment for lead poisoning at Blackland, and will be closely observed. Wilkerson will continue to give updates on his progress.

WHAT CAN WE DO:
Hunters should be mindful of how they dispose of guts they leave after cleaning their game.

Fishermen shouldn't leave discarded hooks and lead weights laying on the ground where birds can easily find them.

The most mindful hunters and fishermen can purchase nonlead bullets and tackle that are safer for the environment.

04/02/2024

MIKE UPDATE:

Jennifer Beard with Tri-County Rehab in Mt. Pleasant gave us an update this morning:

"He seemed very strong, and he is not a juvenile eagle. He his a full-grown adult. Eagles don't get the white feathers on their heads until they are 5 years old," said Jennifer. "His wings are perfect, and his body condition was great! He was transferred to Blackland Prairie Raptor Center for full evaluation."

04/01/2024

Mike Update!

TPWD Biologist Penny Wilkerson has transported the bald eagle to Tri-County Wildlife Rehab in Mt. Pleasant, where he will be assessed for transport to Blackland Prairie Raptor Center later this week.

"The eagle looked good when I got him to Mt. Pleasant. He was able to have full wing extension when we transferred him inside," Wilkerson said. "Sorry I was not able to get a video."

04/01/2024

An injured bald eagle was found in the early morning hours of Easter Sunday, close to a deer lease camp, off Highway 77E, between Atlanta and the TX/LA line.

Campers Coley and David Stephens enlisted help to get the bird back to camp, where it was placed in an unoccupied cabin to await rescue.

"We got close to it, and it lifted its wings like it was going to fly off, but it couldn't. So Michael grabbed it and it didn't fight him. It layed its head back on his chest like it knew we were helping it," Coley explained.

Coley, who lives close to Tyler, called her cousin, Atlanta resident Casey Sullivan, who was having Easter dinner with family. He, along with wife Courtney, and mother Kate Stow, all started researching and looking for help.

Local Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Officer Matt Hill was contacted first, but he was off duty and unable to help. Cass County Sheriff Larry Rowe provided contact information for TPWD Officer Jimmy West in Austin. He, too, was unable to help.

The family, frustrated by lack of assistance for this Federally protected National symbol, posted the raptors plight on Facebook. Within minutes they were in touch with Queen City resident Penny Wilkerson - a TWPD Biologist. An hour later, Wilkerson met Sullivan and Stephens at the camp.

Wilkerson was able to calm the eagle and, with Sullivan's assistance, placed him in a box for transport. Before leaving, it was decided his name would be "Mike," after the man who brought him out of the woods to shelter.

Wilkerson estimates Mike's age at 2.5-3 years of age - not yet fully grown. Mike will be staying in Wilkersons office at Atlanta State Park overnight. Tomorrow he will undergo an assessment and the local game wardens will decide what happens next. He may possibly be sent to one of several raptor rehabilitators.

Wilkerson will update us as to Mike's situation and we will pass the information along.