By Kath Gannaway
Jess, Healesville Sanctuary’s majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle has soared for the last time.
A remarkable bird who called the Sanctuary home for more than 40 years, he was one of the oldest Wedge-tailed Eagles in captivity in the world and lived well beyond average life expectancy.
Over the years he had captured the hearts of millions of people who saw him fly in the Bird of Prey and Spirits of the Sky presentations, of the Sanctuary staff and volunteers, and in particular of the keepers who worked so closely with him over the decades.
He became famous as one of the Sanctuary’s most iconic residents, featuring on a postage stamp and in the film Healing and on Wolf Blass wine bottle labels.
He was the symbolic embodiment of Bunjil the Eagle whose story is told by Wurrundjeri Elder Murrundindi at the beginning of each Spirit of the Sky presentation.
Murrindindi was joined by Sanctuary Director Ross Williamson and staff members on Friday, 20 July, for an Indigenous farewell ceremony in the Coranderrk bushland.
Standing beneath tall gums, in a sacred place, it was an emotional tribute to an old friend. Murrundindi performed a smoking ceremony and invited the keepers to place a blossom of wattle.
“This will give him safe journey to the spirit land,” he said speaking of the special he had in his heart for Jess.
“He is very special to me; he is the creator of our land and of our people,” he said.
Retired keeper Kevin Mason worked with Jess from the day he arrived at the Sanctuary as a young bird.
He said he was raised from an eaglet by Graham Carkeek who worked at the Sanctuary in David Fleay’s time and who reared him initially at his home.
When it became illegal to keep raptors, more than 40 years ago, Mr Carkeek took him to the Sanctuary.
Kevin was the main raptor keeper, along with Tom Wynne at that time.
“I looked after him for five or six days a week and the bonding was so strong I couldn’t believe it,” he said.
“He would give his eagle call to you of a morning when he saw you coming, it was his ‘good morning … good to see you’ sort of thing.
“You could go into the enclosure and he would flop on your chest, groom your hair and nibble your ears and talk to you all the time.”
Kevin said eagles mate for life and there were many instances which highlighted the strong bond they form.
“You started to think animals really have feelings and that you are not just looking after an animal, but you have to start thinking like an animal and understand their behaviour in the wild,” he said.
“As humans, we seem to think it’s just us, but it certainly is not, with animals too, especially those that bond for a long time, there are feelings and a deep connection.”
Keeper Jason Bell described Jess as an incredibly trustworthy bird, with a particular soft spot for those he engaged with regularly.
“Jess displayed genuine affection for his keepers and there was something quite exceptional about seeing a formidable bird of prey seek out his keeper for a chin scratch or a back rub,” he said.
Kevin also paid tribute to Jess’s role as an ambassador, including his role as the awe-inspiring go-to for hundreds of world-famous visitors to the Sanctuary.
Jason said Jess worked right up to the end, passing away shortly after another spectacular presentation on Thursday, 12 July.
A spokesperson for the Sanctuary said Jess had given staff, volunteers and visitors a sense of wonder for more than 40 years.
“He will be deeply missed after passing away last week of aged-related causes, but we take comfort in the long and rich life Jess lived in our care.”
See more photos of the life and times of Jess on page 9.
