If you’ve ever seen a bald eagle, you know what a breathtaking sight America’s national bird can be. Bald eagles are large birds with powerful wings, sharp beaks, and unforgiving talons. Their bright yellow eyes contrast with their white snowy heads and when they gaze at you, it’s unforgettable.
Motorists in Clearwater, Florida had the unusual experience of seeing a bald eagle standing in the middle of the road. Their attempts to shoo the magnificent bird away were unsuccessful, so the local police were summoned. When officers arrived on the scene, they quickly realized that the eagle just didn’t want to move, so they blocked off a couple lanes of traffic and called for someone with eagle expertise.
The eagle eventually hobbled off the road own its own and a wildlife rescue expert trapped it in a net before transferring the injured bird to a large pet carrier. The eagle’s next stop was the Owl’s Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife where volunteers examined it. Their best guess is that the eagle had swooped down to the road when it saw something tasty to eat and was hit by a car while feasting on it. Thanks to help from Nature World Wildlife and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, the bald eagle received first-rate medical care. Veterinarians found that it had suffered a chipped bone in its right wing. With a little bit of surgery, this was easily fixed. We’re glad to report that several weeks later, the eagle had made a full recovery and after a few test flights, it was ready to be returned to the wild.
The story made national news and we’ve posted Inside Edition’s coverage below.
Appreciate the quick thinking by the Clearwater police and the dedication of the wildlife rehabilitation people? Let us know in the Facebook comments and be sure to like and share.
