After a failed attempt by Lindbergh, University Raptor Center officials on Wednesday released Lucky Lindy, the second wintering bald eagle with a satellite tracking device.
The first eagle, Lindbergh, never made it past the Twin Cities before settling near a South St. Paul rail yard. He is now back at the center.
Lucky is part of a program initiated by the raptor center to study the migration habits of Minnesota eagles. The satellite transmitter weighs 93 grams and fits onto the eagle’s back.
The tracking device is designed to turn on for eight hours and then shut down for the next 48 hours in a continuous cycle. With luck, the device will last for three to four years, said MaryBeth Garrigan, a public relations coordinator for the center.
Researchers will post Lucky’s whereabouts online every two days so others can keep abreast of his movements. The equipment will only trace latitude and longitude coordinates.
Last seen heading toward the intersection of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, Lucky’s next update will be available later in the week. The World Wide Web address to Lucky’s migration patterns is: http://www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu.
— Emily Dalnodar