Raccoon cracks, eats nonviable eggs in nest of eagles Liberty and Justice

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - More news from the bald eagle's nest above the Metropolitan Police Academy in D.C. that's been the site of so much drama recently.

A raccoon was spotted in the nest Tuesday night and was seen eating two eggs that were laid last month by Liberty. The critter got into the nest just before 9 p.m., dug up the eggs and cracked them open.

Tommy Lawrence, with the Earth Conservation Corps, said that while the raccoon's actions may seem malicious, the eggs were nonviable and would not have hatched.

He said the eggs had already been buried in the nest and that the raccoon's activity may have assisted with the cleaning process. He said this may even prompt Liberty and Justice to potentially lay a second clutch of eggs.

Earlier this year, Justice flew the coop after about 15 years together in the same nest with Liberty. During his absence eagle suitors Aaron Burrd and M2 tried to move in to the nest. The two love birds reunited earlier this month.

RELATED COVERAGE:

- Eagles Liberty and Justice reunite, look to put drama of the past behind them

- Justice the male bald eagle returns to DC nest after missing for weeks

- D.C. bald eagle Liberty lays second egg of 2019; father, Justice, still missing

- Scandal in the nest! New male bird at nest of eagles Liberty and Justice as year's first egg arrives

- DC eagle lays first egg of the year

- Second eaglet egg laid by Liberty and Justice hatches

- Crack seen in second egg of eagles Liberty and Justice

- First eaglet of Liberty and Justice hatches early Saturday morning, awaiting 2nd eaglet to hatch