Great Lakes Aquarium Is “Absolutely Heartbroken” After Losing Longtime Resident

It is always hard saying goodbye to an animal you are close to, whether it is a pet or an animal you work with, like the case at the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, where they recently said goodbye to a longtime resident animal.

Shortly after the $34 million dollar aquarium opened in July 2000, the Great Lakes Aquarium welcomed Bogey, a Bald Eagle that arrived in 2001 from the Bird Treatment and Learning Center in Alaska.

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Bogey fell out of his nest as a chick, and due to nerve damage from that fall, he was unable to be released back into the wild. He was moved to Duluth to live out his life educating visitors about his species and serving as one of the aquarium’s most recognizable ambassadors. Generations of school groups, families, and tourists passing through came to know him over more than two decades.

A Difficult Goodbye in Duluth

In a touching social media post about the 26-year-old Bogey, the Great Lakes Aquarium shared that he had been showing signs of aging. He struggled to stand and was not eating like normal. After consulting with veterinary experts, the decision was made to humanely euthanize Bogey.

The aquarium says they are awaiting necropsy results to determine if any other factors contributed to his declining health. Staff members remember Bogey as a one of a kind bird who greeted keepers with a signature scream, and they say they feel lucky to have spent so many years with him.

Remembering a Local Favorite

Fans of Bogey filled the aquarium’s Facebook comments with photos and memories. One person wrote that they would miss the way Bogey watched them walk by as if he was making sure everyone followed the rules. For many Duluth residents and visitors, Bogey became more than an exhibit.