Barbara Walker is a permitted wildlife rehabilitator at the Raptor Programs of Moccasin Lake Nature Park. Thunder, described as a “one-in-a-million kind of bird”, has recently been recovering from cataract surgery.
“One thing about Thunder is she loves a bath”, Walker said.
Once fully recovered, Thunder will be able to return outside to bathe, eat and hop up and down from perches. The park is also planning to rebuild the bald eagle enclosure, which was damaged during a past hurricane, so that all three bald eagles — Thunder, Penelope and Bolt — can be housed together. In the future, the park hopes to add new flighted birds and offer “raptor experiences,” including flight shows for guests.