Zoo's bald eagle dies

Claire the bald eagle, who former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman helped bring to the Queens Zoo after the bird was injured in the wildlife in Alaska, died on Wednesday, January 3.
Although zoo officials do not know how old the eagle was, they said she was sick before she died and believe her death may have been related to heart illness.
The bald eagle came to the Queens Zoo nearly 15 years ago and has been a popular attraction to the thousands of visitors who attend the Queens Zoo each week.
While Shulman was Queens Borough President, she coordinated outreach efforts to bring the bald eagle to the Queens Zoo after its injury, and the zoo decided to name the eagle after Claire after Shulman.
Keepers described Claire as gorgeous and majestic eagle, who was easy going and had a very good nature, according to Kate McIntyre, the manager of communications for the Queens Zoo.
Three years ago, the Queens Zoo acquired a male bald eagle, and the zoo decided to name it Mel, after Borough President Shulman's husband.
Officials at the zoo said that they planned to begin a search shortly in order to find another bald eagle to keep Mel company.