Zoo Atlanta Announces Passing of Sequoyah, its Resident Bald Eagle

Zoo Atlanta has announced the passing of Sequoyah, a male bald eagle that had been a resident at the zoo since June 2015. Sequoyah, who had sustained a wing injury in the wild and was deemed non-releasable, was euthanized on August 7, due to a decline in his condition.

Sequoyah’s injury, likely caused by a collision with a power line, rendered him unable to survive in the wild, leading to his permanent residence at Zoo Atlanta. Despite his injury, Sequoyah served as an ambassador for his species, educating countless visitors about the importance of bald eagle conservation.

Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation at Zoo Atlanta, reflected on Sequoyah’s impact, stating, “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.”

Bald eagles, recognized as a national symbol of the United States, are federally protected and considered threatened in Georgia. These birds are native to North America, ranging from Canada and Alaska through the contiguous United States and into northern Mexico. They typically inhabit areas near coasts, rivers, and large lakes, as their diet mainly consists of fish.

TOO MANY ADS? GO AD-FREE
Did You Know?: The ads you see on this site help pay for our website and our work. However, we know some of our readers would rather pay and not see ads. For those users we offer a paid newsletter that contains our articles with no ads.
What You Get: A daily email digest of our articles in full-text with no ads.

Bald eagles face several threats in the wild, including collisions with power lines and automobiles, lead poisoning, and pollution.

Support local journalism in Georgia by contributing to The Georgia Sun, where our commitment to providing free, accessible news without paywalls sets us apart. Your contribution helps us continue delivering in-depth coverage of the issues that matter most to Georgians. By supporting us, you ensure that stories about your community, your schools, and your local government are reported with accuracy and integrity.

Stand with us in keeping quality journalism alive and accessible for everyone in Georgia. Your support makes a difference.