We are very excited to have the opportunity to host this amazing bird right here in Columbus. Laker is on loan from Return to the Wild, a raptor rehabilitation and education facility located in Nashville, IN. Laura Edmunds and Patti Reynolds have been long time friends and we jumped at this opportunity to introduce this bird to the members of our community.

Laker had a gun shot wound to a wing and was treated at the University of Missouri by veterinary orthopedic surgeons who mended the wing with a metal plate. Although he can fly, the nature of his injury will require long term observation and he would be unable to survive in the wild.

Laker is a 5 year old male with a prominent white head and tail typical of the species. And is just now getting used to being around people. He will be settling in at our facility and making full use of the amazing cage built by our volunteers (Please see details about the enclosure on the Projects page).

Special thanks to all who helped bring him here. Thanks to the Shumaker and Richard Johnson families, the BCSC C4 Vocational Instructors and students, Brands Lumber, Eric Lykins Eagle Scouts, Don Leggerio, Jerry Hershey and countless other volunteers who made this possible.

Even though the Bald Eagle has recently been de-listed from its endangered status it is by no means entirely safe. Current estimates say there are only 10,000 nesting pairs in the United States

This is just a beginning in this new chapter for Utopia and we'll be posting a lot more pictures and information about this amazing American Icon as his story unfolds.

	Here he is settling into the new eagle cage. As well as many purches and a water trough there is a custom hutch with a panel heater to keep him warm on those cold Indiana winter nights.