'Injured' Eagle Doing Fine

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 04:01 AM

An eagle which caught the attention of passers-by on Sunday in Prince George is recovering.

The bald eagle (shown at left , photo courtesy Chad Bohanan of Northern Wildlife Rescue Society) was spotted on Foothills Boulevard, unable to fly. Passers-by called the RCMP who in turn contacted the SPCA.

The raptor did not resist being captured, and was taken to a Prince George Veterinarian for a full examination.

Turns out, the eagle didn’t have any “injuries” afterall. Rachel Morey of the Northern Wildlife Rescue Society says it seems the bird had over eaten. “He had a lot of food in his crop, and that, combined with the rain on Sunday, made it difficult for him to take off. He wasn’t about to give up any of that food, so he decided to let some of it digest before trying to fly again.”

Rachel says the eagle is at least 5 years old and is on the thin side “I have had them come in thinner, but I think this fellow has been busy helping his mate feed the little ones. When there is a warm spell, the fish they normally eat, go deeper in the water so they look for other food sources. I think this eagle found an easy food source at the dump and gorged.”

Rachel says the eagle is being given a special diet with hopes he will put on a little weight before the weekend. The eagle will be given a special band this weekend before he is released back into the wild. “Right now he’s getting a break from parenting,” says Rachel, “sort of getting some spa treatment, but for everyday he is here, his mate is handling the parenting all alone, and she will need him to help out.”

In the meantime, Rachel says all those who wish the eagle well, can help out. The Northern Wildlife Rescue Society could use some help, either through a financial donation or through the donation of some fish “You know, a lot of people have fish in their freezer and it might be a little freezer burnt, but the raptors don’t care, and they sure eat a lot of it.”

You can make contact with the Society by calling 963-3373 or by dropping off food donations to Rachel at Total Pet on Victoria Street.

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