Rescued eagle dies in Ecuador after pellet gun attack

A rescued eagle in Cuenca, Ecuador, has died after being shot with pellet gun pellets, a year after its successful rehabilitation and release into the ecosystem.

The wildlife specimen's death on August 27, 2026, deeply affected nature defenders. A veterinary technical report confirmed the bird succumbed to damage from a pellet embedded in its body. Medical staff attempted to remove the projectile during surgery to treat a wing fracture, but it could not be extracted from the thoracic cavity.

Subsequent clinical analyses revealed the animal developed septicemia and lead poisoning from the lodged metal, ultimately causing its demise. The alert about the bird's condition arose days earlier when a resident in the Santa Ana sector spotted the injured eagle grounded on private property. The resident immediately notified rescue center specialists, facilitating the eagle's transfer for emergency care.

During the rescue, specialists received technical support from the Catholic University of Cuenca for diagnostic X-rays. Professionals from CLINICAN Veterinary Specialty Clinic also assisted in the surgery to repair the damaged wing's bone structure. The eagle's journey began in April 2025 when it was first taken in by the conservation center. Veterinarians and caretakers conducted weeks of research, clinical care, and physical strengthening before its successful reintroduction into its natural habitat, where it thrived for over a year.