By Alex Christodoulides
Former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman brought Claire to the zoo from Alaska with a broken wing about 15 years ago and had her nursed back to health by the staff, the Wildlife Conservation Society said.”The strikingly attractive eagle was found with an injured wing in Alaska, and because she wouldn't have survived in the wild without being able to fly, she needed a safe home” the Wildlife Conservation Society said. “Queens Borough President Claire Shulman arranged for the eagle to come to the Wildlife Conservation Society's newly opened Queens Zoo and thus became the fortunate eagle's namesake.” Zookeepers remember Claire as a gorgeous eagle with a great temperament, the society said.Claire is survived by her partner Mel, who arrived at the zoo three years ago and was named for Shulman's husband. Mel and Claire did not hatch any eaglets, according to Wildlife Conservation Society spokeswoman Kate McIntyre.McIntyre said there are plans to find Mel a new mate, but there is no telling how long it will take.Reach reporter Alex Christodoulides by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.
