Tragic Loss of Eaglets at West Virginia Conservation Center
Three young bald eaglets have tragically died after their nest was blown from a tree during severe storms at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The nest, which had been a staple in the community for 22 years, garnered attention online thanks to a live camera set up in 2005, allowing eagle enthusiasts to watch the hatching and growth of these magnificent birds.
The eaglets, born to parents Bella and Scout in spring 2025, fell roughly 90 feet to the ground when the storm struck on April 19. The National Conservation Training Center confirmed the devastating news through a post on social media, stating that none of the three four-week-old eaglets survived the fall, though both adult eagles were reported safe and have since been spotted at a secondary nest within the same tree.
In an emotional YouTube Q&A, Randy Robertson from the center explained that Bella was present in the nest during the storm and narrowly escaped just moments before it fell. He expressed gratitude for her survival, noting that the eaglets, unable to fly until around 12 weeks old, could not escape. Despite the loss of the original nest, the eagle pair had begun constructing a new one in a sturdier part of the tree.
The community has expressed its condolences and grief, with followers reflecting on their long-term connection to the nest. "To watch an eagle family grow is a blessing, but witnessing this tragic event is heartbreaking," one commenter stated. The center thanked supporters for their kindness during this difficult time, expressing hope that Bella and Scout will successfully raise offspring in their new nest in the coming seasons.
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