MEDFORD, Ore. — The beloved animal ambassador for an Oregon wildlife center is recovering from eye surgery.
The Mail Tribune reports that the 35-year-old golden eagle named Phoenix had a cataract removed Wednesday in Medford. Wildlife Images executive director Dave Siddon waited anxiously while Phoenix was under anesthesia at the Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center.
Siddon said the surgery “scares me to death. I love this bird so dang much. It’s like he’s my child.”
Dr. Cassandra Bliss says Phoenix’s surgery went great and she plans to check on him as he recovers over the next two weeks.
Phoenix was found on a remote road while he was still a fuzzy eaglet and has lived at Wildlife Images for decades. He is too dependent on humans and deeply bonded with Siddon to be released into the wild.
