"This is the Gabriola Bald Eagle nest where a pair of eagles were raising their eaglet Junior. The female eagle brought in a baby Red-tailed Hawk as prey on June 4th 2022, but a miraculous thing happened when the hawklet was not eaten but instead was adopted into the eagle family. The parents fed & brooded the hawklet & Junior befriended Malala & thus they began a close bonded relationship as eagle-hawk siblings. Junior was protective and gentle with Malala and their relationship continued to grow over the course of the next few weeks.
Malala fledged first and then Junior left the nest and began to fly around the territory. But only one week after fledging, Junior was found electrocuted on July 18th by BCHydro power poles. This video is a tribute in loving memory of Junior and his special relationship with the little hawklet Malala.
A part of Junior will forever live on inside of Malala. They remained bonded siblings right up to the very end. Malala will carry Junior in her heart as she goes forth into the world - she embodies both hawk and eagle characteristics and is a bridge between what we know in the raptor world and the miracle of what we just witnessed on this nest. Junior's sudden death is a reminder to all of us that life is a precious commodity to be cherished every day. RIP Junior. Thank you for watching!"
Video captured, created & produced by Lady Hawk
