Project Tracks Eagle From Camp Ripley

LITTLE FALLS -- The release of a golden eagle with a GPS transmitter earlier this week at Camp Ripley is thought to bring more understanding about the bird.

The National Eagle Center and Audubon Minnesota have teamed up to form the Golden Eagle Project -- which released a female golden eagle with a GPS transmitter on Wednesday at Camp Ripley.

The transmitter, which is about the size of a pack of gum, will allow the organization to track the bird's movements anywhere in the world for up to seven years.

The organization will use this information to determine the bird's migration patterns and habitat use during the winter months.

The Golden Eagle Project, which has released six birds in its 11 years, say this information will be useful as golden eagles were not thought to be regular winter residents in the central part of the state.

You can see detailed maps of the project's tracked birds online at nationaleaglecenter.org and MN.audubon.org.