I'm sorry to announce that A-63 is dead.

He was found in the middle of a road in northern Nevada on Wednesday, August 15th by a gentlemen driving by at 70 mph who saw our bird with wingmarkers, etc. and stopped to check it out because he thought someone was probably tracking it. He got our phone number off the GPS unit and also called the Bird Banding Lab number on the leg band. We can only assume that he was killed by a car while scavenging for food on the highway. The GPS unit had been knocked off and run over, but our good samaritan is going to send it to us anyways. He choose not to pick up the carcass because he didn't want to carry around a dead animal, it would have been illegal and he would have carried it across state lines without the proper permits. By now it has probably been dragged off by scavengers, so we won't attempt to recover it. Sorry to be the bearer of such bad news.

Oh, this is awful, I am soo sorry this has happened. :'(
I have no words but sadness

What terribly sad news. No matter what we do there are always dangers for these wild creatures when they are near human activity. A-63 was such a strong young eagle and it is very sad we won't see him flying again on the Channel Islands.

Goodbye Limuw - at least he got to feel the wind underneath his wings and soar during his short life. :(

I'm so sorry for this bad news..
but a good samaritan found our eaglebird to notify all of us..

Godspeed, Limuw.

It will always hurt.

God be with you in the Happy Hunting Ground!

Harpo & EagleScout

I am totally in shock, I can't believe this. I don;t think I can tell my students.
Everyone knows this happens with nature but it is not easy to except. :'( :'( :'(

To Dr Sharpe especially but to all of you who give so much for these gorgeous birds I am so very saddened and sorry to read this news. I am grateful though that someone did find him and did contact you. I have no other words either just tears over the sadness and yet gratefullness for all your hard work with these eagles and your willingness to share so much with us who watch and grow to love you and what you do from a distance.

:'( Dr. Sharpe and Eagle Friends, my heart breaks! I ache inside! I had a bad feeling about him leaving the safety of the islands. How can a 4 month old have such a tragic ending. Thank you Dr. Sharpe for taking such good care of our boy! I grieve for him, and the loss to all of us! :'(

GOD BLESS YOU LIMUW, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED <3

I am struggling to find the right words to express my sorrow at the loss of Limuw. I can think of none. Thank you to Paula and Harpo for the tributes.

Typing through tears as my heart breaks... for brave, strong, and fearless Limuw, for all of us who loved him and cheered his every move, for Dr. Sharpe who on top of his own sadness, had the unpleasant task of breaking the bad news and to the rest of the dedicated IWS crew who are grieving along with the rest of us.
Mantles and hugs all around
<:3

thank you Joanie - you said what I was thinking - mantles to Peter Steffani and the IWS Crew!

Beautifully said Joanie. Thank you. <3

I know this is very hart breaking, but we don't know how many of these hart breaking stories Peter has got through the years, but all we can do is continue to help with this great cause, every little bit helps :unsure:

From Joanie:

"Typing through tears as my heart breaks... for brave, strong, and fearless Limuw, for all of us who loved him and cheered his every move, for Dr. Sharpe who on top of his own sadness, had the unpleasant task of breaking the bad news and to the rest of the dedicated IWS crew who are grieving along with the rest of us.
Mantles and hugs all around"

You said what I'm feeling, thank you Joanie.

Emotions, they are raw today,
I'm simply torn apart ...
For hollow, wrenching feelings
Tear apart this very heart.
<snip>
by Kit McCallum

omg.....BIG tears here for our Lucky boy.....this is devastating news...his candle burned out far too soon...but how he did get to SOAR!!!!!!!!!!

DEEP IN OUR HEARTS A MEMORY IS KEPT
... OF ONE WE LOVED .... AND WILL NEVER FORGET



Thank you Limuw ... A-63 ... for being such a wonderful courageous eaglet ... for returning and staying around the nest after you fledged so we could enjoy seeing you a little while longer before you took off for your adventures.

You soared ... and had the wind beneath your wings ... and you took our hearts with you.

We will never forget you ... our beloved boy.

Dr. Sharpe, I am deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news and quite frankly still a bit stunned, nevertheless would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to you and all those who work tirelessly to make it possible for these beautiful animals to thrive once again throughout the Channel Islands, and for allowing us the privilege to share in the experience. The moment I first saw that wobbly little ball of fluff on April 13th, I was hooked. I will miss you sweet little Limuw.........soar in the heavens Sweet Peeps! :'(

Too adventurous too soon but he so warmed our hearts while he was here.


MIB

yes<:3

Many of the students of the Lemonwood Eagle Squad stop by to "see if they can help". I think they just like to return to the place where they felt and gave so much love. I am not sure how I am going to tell them tomorrow. We can be sad together, and share the hurt. I think that will make their "beanieeagles" that much more precious to them. And, I have the eagle puppet that Lala gave our classroom. I'm glad they got to say Good Bye to Limuw. I only wish I would have been able to do the same. :<<>>: :<<>>: :<<>>:

To thank him for all the smiles, and laughter, and awe, and for the beauty and miracle his presence in this world brought to my classroom, and brought all of us together. <3 <3 <3

The scientific world knew the eaglet as A-63
But he'll always be Limuw and Little One to me.

He started his life struggle breaking free of a shell
Learning eagle lessons that would serve him well.

Strength and curiosity he had more than enough
Unwanted visitors quickly learned that he's tough.

He peeped, he hopped, he wingercised everyday
But his fledging meant soon he would be on his way.

One bright early morn perched on the stub one last time
He turned to the wind, wings lifted and climbed.

Soaring to adventure and whole other parts
Taking well wishes and hopes for this start.

You are gone from the earth, you are gone from the skies
But you live on in Cruzers, in their hearts deep inside! <3 ^"^

[QUOTE=teacherlady,Aug 20 2007, 08:17 PM]

To thank him for all the smiles, and laughter, and awe, and for the beauty and miracle his presence in this world brought to my classroom, and brought all of us together. <3 <3 <3

YES teacher Lady this says it as well as any other words any of us can find right now.



A Tribute for Limuw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTaKuOVE7_c

I am in shock. I just logged on to see "what was going on" before heading out, and I could not believe what I read. I am in tears as I think of the loss of Limuw. Why did he have to leave the islands so soon? Dr. Sharpe, Steffani, Dave, Jessica, Chris, Kim, and all of you at IWS -- I am so, so sorry. (((GH)))

Very nice, Harpo.

Thank you Glo, and everyone.....

Very touching, glo. Thank you.

LIMUW 4/13/07 - 8/15/07



My Heart is Broken..........But you made my Heart soar and be full of joy by just watching you.



I have tears streaming down my face...........But just the other night I was laughing over dinner with good friends about your antics and remembering your undaunted spirit.

SOAR ON LIMUW - <3 <3 <3 <3

Limuw really made an impact on me. Although I never saw him personally, I felt like I knew him. I will never forget the enjoyment of his short life that he shared
with me.
Thank You glo for your tribute to Limuw, it was beautiful. I tried to watch the memories but had to turn it off (too much, too soon). This was very sweet. It made me feel better.
Thank You harpo for your lovely poem. I know it was from the heart. It also made me feel better. Cathie

I find peace that Limuw is left to nature. Ashes to ashes. It is his spirit that remains. The sun is shining on Limuw.

Limuw will forever live on in our hearts and in our minds. This image of him soaring in the skies high above the island of Santa Cruz, will always represent the freedom, the strength, and the courage that he possessed.

Thank you IWS for taking me along on this journey.....my life has been enriched because of it......and forever changed by this lovely creature.

:'( What a shock to come on and see that our little Limuw was gone. So sad for all who had him in there hearts. I am so sorry to hear this and am crying as I type. Fly on little Limuw over the rainbow bridge to meet all the loved ones we have lost. :'(

Thank you Eagle Guy for letting us know.

MIB

It seems so impossible that our brave little guy our adventurous little one is gone so quickly. I am sure Dr. Sharpe and the rest of the IWS crew have had to experience this many times over the years. I can't imagine how the loss must feel to them. I can only say Limuw gave much joy to all of us who had the pleasure of watching him, cheering him, oooohhhhing and awwhhing him. I can only shed the tears and pray for him.

What a lovely, touching tribute. Now I'm sobbing...but I need to right now. :wub: <3 :wub:

:wub: Michele,
I love your avatar. I too have been forever changed and enriched, not only from A-63, but from the amazing efforts of the B-)) IWS and crew :<S><: , Catalina Island wildlife :<<>>: :<<>>: ^"^ ^"^ ^"^ ><'> >>: , and all of the A-49 Cruzers. Thank you all for touching me in ways you'll all never know! :Hugs:
Nancy

Deb - Thank you for this poem. Your words are so comforting during this difficult time. <3 <3 <3