A beloved bald eagle who gained popularity for incubating a rock in 2023 was being mourned Saturday after the 33-year-old avian died following intense storms that recently moved through Missouri.<\/p>\n
Murphy, who surpassed the average life span of 25 years, died last week at the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, Missouri. Sanctuary officials believe the violent storms that ripped apart homes and claimed 12 lives last weekend may have factored in the bird\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
They said birds have access to shelters where they can weather storms and the sanctuary has contingency plans for different environmental situations. But evacuations weren\u2019t performed since no tornadoes approached the sanctuary. Three other birds who were in the same shelter with Murphy survived.<\/p>\n
A veterinarian performed a necropsy and found the bald eagle sustained head trauma. \u201cWe are unable to determine if Murphy was spooked by something and hit his head while jumping off a perch or if wind and precipitation played a part in the injury,\u201d a statement shared by the sanctuary on social media said.<\/p>\n
Murphy lived in the sanctuary\u2019s Avian Avenue exhibit area and rose to prominence in 2023 when he incubated a rock. His instincts were rewarded when he was allowed to foster an injured eaglet that he nurtured back to health. The eaglet was eventually released back to the wild and another eaglet was entrusted to Murphy\u2019s care. The second eaglet is expected to be released into the wild this summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn honor of Murphy\u2019s legacy, we plan to name the eventual eagle fostering aviary Murphy\u2019s Manor, so that we can continue to remember him for decades to come,\u201d the sanctuary\u2019s statement added.<\/p>\n
This article<\/a> by the Associated Press was first published by NBC News on 23 March 2025. Lead Image: Murphy the bald eagle in Valley Park, Mo. World Bird Sanctuary via AP. Wildlife continues to face threats, which include hunting, poaching, illegal trade in animal products, habitat loss as well as a rapidly changing climate.<\/p>\n Become a Wildlife Champion today by supporting our conservation partners<\/a> with a monthly donation as little as $1.<\/p>\n
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