An adult Bald Eagle injured with severe leg trauma has been successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild, thanks in part to a fish-skin graft provided by Kerecis.
The eagle, named Kere, after Kerecis, was found injured in Hayward, Wisconsin, in September 2024 with a significant 360-degree wound extending from her knee to ankle. The injury left little to no viable skin for standard treatment, and infection had already set in. Local veterinarian Dr. Kim Ammann, founder of Winged Freedom Raptor Hospital, took on the challenging case.
With conventional options exhausted, Ammann explored alternative treatments and found a potential solution in Kerecis’ fish-skin grafts. Though originally developed for human medical use, Kerecis’ fish-skin grafts have more recently been adapted for veterinary applications. While the grafts had been used successfully on other animal species, this was the first documented case involving a Bald Eagle.
Kerecis was founded by Fertram Sigurjonsson, who pioneered the use of sustainably sourced fish skin for tissue repair. While the company initially focused on treating diabetic wounds, it has since expanded its patented technology platform to address a wide range of internal and external tissue injuries in both humans and animals.
Over a 10-month period, the grafts contributed to the regeneration of the eagle’s leg tissue. Dr. Ammann worked closely with Kere throughout the recovery, providing ongoing care and monitoring the healing process.
On June 22, 2025, Kere was successfully released back into the wild.
Find out how Kerecis Vet products can support animal wound healing.
Kerecis donated the graft material used in the treatment and collaborated with the veterinary team during the process. The case reflects a growing area of interest in using biologically derived materials to address complex wounds in veterinary medicine.
As Kere returns to her natural habitat, the case offers an example of how medical innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration can contribute to improved outcomes in care.
