Watson

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

In August of 1994, a young of the year Golden Eagle was found at the base of a cliff at Watson Lake near Fort Collins. High above him, a Golden Eagle nest towered. The youngster’s right upper wing had been broken (the humerus, close to the shoulder).

The Golden was luckily found quickly, and was brought to RMRP for rehabilitation. He received surgery and a steel plate to reinforce his broken bone. At the time, RMRP only had small flight enclosures, so the Golden Eagle was sent to another facility with large flight training enclosures in the hopes that he could once again return to the wild.

Despite all efforts, Watson never regained full range of motion of his right wing. He could fly a little, but he never regained the ability to get lift and soar. He was returned to RMRP, where he was given a second chance at life in the form of an Educational Ambassador. He was an exemplary gentleman, and quickly took to his training. With grace, dignity, and an unending spark of wild passion, he captivated audiences for 30 years. He was named Watson in honor of the nest site where he was hatched. He is greatly missed by all at RMRP and those who loved to visit him at outreach events.

You can honor Watson’s memory through Watson’s Wish List.