New mascot has big talons to fill

A NEW wedge-Tailed Eagle mascot has been found for Townsville’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment but she's got big talons to fill.

Townsville's 2nd Cavalry Regiment will adopt a 12-year-old female Wedge-Tailed Eagle from the Gold Coast who will be known as Trooper Courage.

A NEW wedge-tailed eagle mascot has been found for Townsville’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment, but she won’t be flying high in North Queensland until early next year.

Trooper Courage is an experienced 12-year-old female living on the Gold Coast at the Broadwings Raptor Training and Conservation Centre.

She will have big talons to fill when she arrives at Lavarack Barracks, expected to be in January, following in the feathers of Warrant Officer Class One Courage, who died in October after 30 years of service in the Australian Army.

Tpr Courage weighs 3.8kg, 1.3kg heavier than her namesake, and has experience performing in bird shows. She was one of three potential replacement mascots identified.

Trooper Dan Young, one of WO1 Courage’s longest-standing handlers, said the unit was still reeling from the mascot’s sudden death.

“It’s been hard walking in each day not seeing the old Courage, but morale is starting to come around again,” he said.

“She’s a much bigger bird, so there will be a couple of us handlers going down for training to learn her routines.

“(WO1 Courage) was a bit of a character, so she’ll have a lot to live up to.”

Bird handler Trooper Jarrett Rice said the regiment was overwhelmed by the community’s reaction to WO1 Courage’s death.

“It was very surprising how much media attention it got,” he said. “It’s been a very weird feeling walking in every day to see an empty cage.

“Once we all establish a bond with her I’m sure she’ll get a lot of tasking to events.”

WO1 Courage’s remains are being handled by a taxidermist in Brisbane. The famous bird was promoted and demoted several times throughout his career and even had a run-in with the British royal family.

In 1988, while visiting Australia, Prince Charles visited the troops with WO1 Courage on display. When the Prince of Wales ­approached, WO1 Courage about-faced and pooed on his leg.

WO1 Courage was demoted for flying away from a handler and charged with being away without leave. He also faced disciplinary action after attacking a commanding officer.

But he was also promoted for serving the regiment to a high standard and progressed through the ranks.

Originally published as New mascot has big talons to fill