Beloved Bald Eagle, Maggie, Dies of Lead Poisoning in Virginia

Craig County, Virginia – Maggie, a mature bald eagle and a well-known figure to local wildlife enthusiasts, has died from lead poisoning, according to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center. Her death highlights the ongoing and preventable threat of lead toxicity to raptors and other scavenging birds.

Maggie, identified as BAEA 26-139, passed away Monday morning, March 10, 2026, after being admitted to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke on Sunday, March 8th. She exhibited severe weakness, as reported by WSET.

A Familiar Face in Craig County

For over a decade, Maggie and her nesting pair have been documented by photographers in Craig County. Her loss is particularly poignant as she was actively nesting with a mate, who now faces the challenge of raising their eggs alone. WSLS reports that the mate is capable of caring for the nest independently, but it will be more difficult without his partner.

Lead Poisoning: A Growing Threat

Tests conducted at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center revealed critically high levels of lead in Maggie’s system. Experts believe eagles ingest lead fragments while scavenging, often from ammunition. Archyde.com details that Chester Leonard, executive director of the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center, stated, “It wasn’t all that long ago that bald eagles were on the endangered species list and if we’re not careful, we can easily position them back there, and simple things like lead are completely avoidable.”

The center has observed a concerning trend: last year, nine out of ten eagles admitted to the center exhibited elevated lead levels. This issue extends beyond eagles, with rising lead exposure also observed in waterfowl and vultures. WSET reported this alarming statistic.

Efforts to Address the Problem

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center is actively working to raise awareness about the dangers of lead and is exploring potential legislative action to address the problem. Leonard described the emotional toll of treating poisoned birds, stating, “It’s just, from our perspective, seeing these big, beautiful birds coming in that should normally be healthy and thriving, just kind of crashing our arms. It takes a toll on us, too. It’s really an emotional moment having to deal with these patients.”