This quiet young male came to the National Eagle Center from Florida in 2009, hatched in 2007. Discovered as a fledgling, Was’aka was diagnosed with a tumor on his left eyelid. Procedures were done removing both his upper and lower lids, which left him blind in that eye; however, his nictitating membrane was spared and continues to function.

After treatment for his tumor, Was’aka was taken in by the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Florida. He is a flighted bird. However, eagles need full use of their wings, talons and eyes to thrive in the wild. The blindness in his left eye prevented him from release.

At just over six pounds, Was ‘aka offers guests an excellent example of size differential in northern and southern varieties -- as well as male and female -- Bald Eagles. While our Golden Eagle, Donald, is approximately the same size as a male Bald Eagle from the Midwest, Was’aka is notably smaller.

As Was’aka continues his training to become a full participant in our educational programs, the eagle care staff has made great efforts to maintain the muscle strength and agility of his wings. Was’aka’s name has a very unique story. In 2008, the National Eagle Center was involved in Civic Fest, an educational experience orchestrated in conjunction with the ‘08 Republican National Convention. There, attendees were all invited to select the name of our newest eagle. The options included: Franklin, North Star, Apollo and Was’aka. Was’aka won by a great margin.

Was’aka is a translation of the Dakota word, STRENGTH. One of the goals of our education programs is to offer connections for eagles to humans. After learning of his story and his great efforts to live, strength seemed an excellent name for him.

Read Was'aka's Blog