Bald Headed Eagle, close up shot with blurred background.
Symbol of Freedom Soars Again: Rescued Bald Eagle Released in Time for July Fourth Celebrations
HAYWARD, Wis., July 3, 2025 — Just in time for America’s birthday, the national symbol of freedom has a second chance at flight — thanks to pioneering treatment and the dedication of a Wisconsin veterinarian.
Kere, a majestic Bald Eagle, was found last September in critical condition at a Hayward park, her leg torn open from knee to ankle in a devastating 360-degree wound. With no healthy skin left to work with and infection setting in, her chances of survival seemed slim.
But Bald Eagles are more than just birds. They are living emblems of the American spirit. For Kim Ammann, DVM, founder of Wisconsin’s Winged Freedom Raptor Hospital, that made the fight to save Kere especially meaningful.
Fish, Typically Bald Eagle Prey, Were Used to Save Kere’s Life
Ammann, who treated more than 200 birds last year — including 75 Bald Eagles — wasn’t ready to give up. With no traditional options left, she turned to innovative alternatives and discovered an Icelandic company called Kerecis that uses intact fish skin from sustainably sourced North Atlantic Cod to support tissue regeneration.
Although originally developed for human medical use, Kerecis had recently started offering its fish skin grafts for veterinary medicine. “Our fish skin grafts are used in a variety of different wounds, whether those are traumatic wounds or some that have been out there for a while, and they have not closed in a while, like chronic wounds,” explains Marta Hines, Kerecis Veterinary Business Development Manager.
While the grafts have never been used on a Bald Eagle before, Kerecis provided the materials at no cost after learning about Kere’s condition.
The cod skin grafts did what no other treatment could. Over the course of 10 months, they helped regenerate Kere’s tissue and fight off infection, offering a remarkable new lifeline to a bird who represents resilience and liberty.
Ammann developed a bond with Kere and was impressed with the eagle’s resilience during the months-long treatment. “The trust she put in me made it possible to accomplish what we did,” she recalls. “She tolerated bandage changes every few days for months. Those were done with her awake and watching me. She left the wraps and dressings alone as they were healing her wound. She was eating well and taking necessary medications the whole time.”
Kere was released back into the wild on June 22, 2025.
Ammann says every eagle she rehabilitates may be just one bird, but for that bird, it means everything.
“To this bird, it’s everything: It’s their life and it’s the only chance they have at returning and maintaining life,” agrees Hines.
Kere is now soaring over the very lands her image represents. And for those who look to the sky this Fourth of July, Kere is a powerful reminder of what freedom truly looks like.
Click here to support Winged Freedom Raptor Hospital and its mission to protect America’s most iconic birds.
