The World Bird Sanctuary is mourning the loss of Murphy,a 33-year-old bald eagle whose remarkable journey as a foster parent captivated people around the world. Murphy was found dead in his aviary on March 15,following a night of severe storms and tornadoes in the St. Louis area. “Our veterinarian performed a full necropsy which showed that Murphy had sustained some form of trauma to his head,” the sanctuary said in a statement. While the exact cause of the injury remains uncertain,the sanctuary acknowledged that “this storm may have contributed to his passing.”
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Murphy’s impact stretched far beyond his aviary. In 2023,he gained international fame when he began incubating a rock,a moment that revealed his readiness to foster a real eaglet. When a rescued eaglet was introduced to him,Murphy’s instincts took over,and he raised the young bird with unwavering dedication until it was strong enough to be released into the wild. “Murphy’s transition from rock incubating to rockstar foster dad of an injured eaglet brought daily joy to thousands as we watched their journey together,” the sanctuary shared.
Murphy was in the process of fostering a second eaglet at the time of his passing,showing the same commitment and care. “His second eaglet is still in our care,but is making good progress toward release and we expect he will be ready by mid-summer,” said the sanctuary. Experts credit Murphy’s work with inspiring new aviary designs tailored to the specific needs of orphaned and injured raptors,ensuring that his legacy will continue to shape wildlife rehabilitation efforts.
To honor Murphy’s profound impact,the World Bird Sanctuary plans to name its future eagle fostering aviary "Murphy’s Manor,"a tribute to the eagle who helped raise the next generation. “We could not have asked for a better ambassador and role model,” the sanctuary wrote. “Murphy will be deeply missed,but his legacy will live on in the memories of those who loved him.”
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