A pair of Steller’s sea eagles make their public debut this week at Woodland Park Zoo and they will join the honorary ranks of the Seattle Seahawks’ 12th Man, the Zoo announced today in a press release.

The eagles will make their debut tomorrow, Jan 13, at 2:30 p.m.

In a salute to the Seahawks facing the Chicago Bears in Sunday’s divisional playoff, a #12 flag will be draped at the exhibit. Visitors and Seahawks fans can enjoy the new residents in the zoo’s award-winning Northern Trail exhibit.

On Sat.-Sun., Jan. 15-16, visitors will get a Seahawks #12 button (while supplies last) at both zoo entrances.

The sea eagles, a male and female, arrived last month from Los Angeles Zoo and had been in a 30-day standard quarantine. Along with the harpy and Philippine eagles, Steller’s sea eagles have the distinction of being the largest and heaviest eagles, ranging from 11 to 20 pounds with a wingspan of up to 8 feet.

Only 17 Steller’s sea eagles live in North American zoos. Woodland Park Zoo is part of a special conservation effort to breed these rare raptors. Because they were hatched in the wild, these eagles are founder animals, making their genes particularly valuable to the North American population. The eagles, estimated to be 14 years old, do not yet have any offspring but the zoo is hopeful as the annual breeding season begins now through April.

In 2008, Seahawks executives co-chaired the zoo’s major fundraiser, Jungle Party, and, under their leadership, helped raise funds through Jungle Party’s Fund-Our-Future. A portion of the funds brought the stunning sea eagles to the zoo and supports their daily care, including quarantine, veterinary care, nutritional plans and enrichment.