GOLDEN EAGLE “TIGER” DIAGNOSED WITH SKIN CANCER

AUBURN - Tiger, Auburn University’s 26-year-old golden eagle, has skin cancer. The Southeastern Raptor Center has been monitoring her condition closely and plans to fly two other eagles if Tiger is not able to make her pregame flights this fall.

Veterinarians say a low-grade, but delicately located and recurring tumor on the eagle’s leg has been causing lameness, enough to make trainers wary of putting her through the rigors of training. The tumor, located just above Tiger’s foot, has been removed several times and grows back just months after each operation.

Recent test results on the tumor indicate squamous cell carcinoma, a skin cancer that is known to be locally invasive in birds. However, there are very few cases of this type of cancer in raptors, or birds of prey, making a prognosis difficult.

The tumor produces a hard “corn-like” growth that protrudes from the skin. As this portion of the mass gets larger, more irritation is noted by veterinarians and trainers.

“The location of the jess cuff places stress directly on the mass, said trainer Roy Crowe. “Since we hold the bird via the jesses, we cannot control her without causing her discomfort.”

Raptor Center Staff Veterinarian Jill Heatley says the tumor is being monitored and managed by periodic surgical removal of the “corn-like” portion of the mass and through pain medication. “Otherwise, she is eating well and has no other problems. Should the tumor begin to affect her ability to use the foot or her overall well-being, her pregame flights would be managed based on her health needs,” Heatley said.

Tiger, also known as War Eagle VI, made her first pregame flight in the fall of 2000. She has brought national attention to Auburn and wildlife conservation through those flights and her appearance at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

“The eagle flight program has been extremely successful in helping us spread our message of conservation,” said Jamie Bellah, a veterinarian and director of the Raptor Center. “But we really have to do what is in the best interest of Tiger. If she is unable to fly this fall, we’ll have the other eagles ready.”

Spirit, an 11-year-old bald eagle, and Nova, a 6-year-old golden eagle, have both flown before AU games in the past.

All three eagles play a major role in the Raptor Center’s educational efforts, both in school classrooms and at the new Edgar B. Carter Amphitheater on the AU College of Veterinary Medicine campus.

The Southeastern Raptor Center’s mission is to promote wildlife conservation with the educational use of birds of prey, to rehabilitate ill and injured raptors, and to collaborate in raptor research efforts. The center treats hundreds of birds of prey annually from an average of 21 species, including bald eagles, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, great horned owls and red-tailed hawks.

Auburn University is a preeminent land-grant and comprehensive research institution with more than 23,000 students and 6,500 faculty and staff. Ranked among the top 50 public universities nationally, Auburn is Alabama’s largest educational institution, offering more than 230 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs.

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