Murphy, the bald eagle whose caring nature warmed hearts around the globe is dead at age 33 following intense storms to strike Missouri. The World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park which was home to Murphy, disclosed his passing on March 15. A post-mortem study revealed Murphy endured fatal head injury, though officials are uncertain whether it came due to stormy weather or through an accident.
Murphy was an online sensation in 2023 when he tried to hatch a rock, which he considered his own egg. His commitment encouraged sanctuary caretakers to introduce him to actual orphaned eaglets. He successfully raised two juvenile eagles, one of whom is currently getting ready for release this summer.
Although he couldn’t fly because of a permanent wing injury, Murphy survived and flourished in sanctuary care, living for more than the average bald eagle lifespan of 20-25 years. Although the recent storms didn’t injure his aviary or his companion birds, the severe weather is thought to have contributed to his death.
The sanctuary will pay tribute to Murphy’s legacy by christening its eagle foster aviary “Murphy’s Manor,” making his influence last.
Murphy’s tale, from viral stardom to committed parenting is the epitome of the grand and caring nature of America’s national bird.
