Two Birds in the Hand
7 02 2010There are a couple lucky birds over at the Bird Treatment and Learning Center today. A beautiful golden eagle got his leg caught in a trap, and the story of his rescue is just wonderful.
The efforts that were made to get this guy the care he needs are truly amazing.
Our USF&W agent was in Fairbanks and would travel down and meet me at the Eureka Lodge. His trip was about 5 hours and mine was about 3. We were to meet with an Alaska State Trooper and recover the bird. Because of our travel time, the local trooper recruited some help from the local Bureau of Land Management agent and they traveled about 8 miles by snowmachine in the -10°f mountain area to recover the bird.
We meet them on the roadside and transferred the bird into my truck for a trip back to Anchorage. It’s right leg still had the trap attached just above the foot. The trap and foot were engulfed in ice, so at that time it was impossible to get the trap off.
In my Durango, the bird had a chance to warm up on the 3 hour trip back. As I got back on the highway I called PET ER and gave them a heads up that we were going to be there around 6PM and will need assistance. Dr. Doty who is their best avian DVM was off that day but decided to come in to assist.When we arrived we got the bird out of the kennel and immediately stated running cold water over the trap and foot to thaw them out. It took two people to open the trap so I could pull the foot out. The wound was cleaned and x-rays were taken.The x-rays showed the only bone damage was a broken hallux. The large gash above the foot was sutured closed and antibiotics and pain medication was given. Our main concern for the next few days is if there is blood circulation in the foot.A grateful thank you to the Alaska State Trooper and BLM agent in Eureka, the USF&W Law Enforcement officer from Anchorage but who traveled down from Fairbanks. Their names I won’t post because this might be a criminal case. Those guys went above and beyond in my opinion. Thanks also to PET ER who’s always a big help and Dr. Doty from breaking away during her off time to help tend to this gorgeous bird. Also, thanks to the kind ladies at the Eureka Lodge who kept me entertained and full of coffee while I waited.
Dr. Doty and I checked in on our golden today. It’s more alert and standing on its own, but the injured foot is very cold still.
Here’s hoping that this gorgeous bird will be restored to full health soon. Bird TLC cares for many injured birds that are unable to survive in the wild. The birds become teachers of sorts, traveling around with staff members to schools and events so that people may gain a new level of appreciation for Alaskan birds big and small.
Another eagle at Bird TLC has an amazing story to tell. After being caught in fishing line, this poor bird suffered major damage to its bill. Nothing that a dentist, poster putty and a yellow highlighter couldn’t handle. Catch the video HERE.
Here’s another bald eagle that was used as a teaching bird, and his “person” at an event held in Anchorage a couple years ago.
It’s amazing to see how children react to eagles with a sense of absolute awe. Bird TLC is funded solely from donations, and has a variety of teaching birds available including owls, eagles, ravens, and songbirds. You can check out their website HERE and throw a few pennies in the donation box to help them continue to help Alaska’s wild creatures.
February 7th, 2010 at 1:10 PM
Fabulous.
We have something similar local.
Last I read was about some Pelican rescue and rehabilitation. Someone had cut off a pelican’s upper beak and the poor thing was starving. They made him a new beak out of space age something.
Call me naive but I just don’t understand how anyone can do this to living creatures. Do we have such monsters disguised as humans walking among us?
February 7th, 2010 at 1:12 PM
Gorgeous birds. Last Chance Forever used to do the falconry display at the Texas Renaissance Festival. It was the best show eva.
February 7th, 2010 at 1:14 PM
great story (the rescue) how they got into this predicament not so much
February 7th, 2010 at 1:14 PM
I love eagles- they scare me a bit though… Beautiful!!!
February 7th, 2010 at 1:41 PM
Great stories. We have the same rescues here in So. Fl.
My brother rescued an osprey tangled in a fishing line that someone had left in the water off their dock. The bird was drowning. But happy to say he recovered and is back out on the river hunting.
My brother did however call Wildlife rescue and report the lines left in the water, the people were ticketed and paid a fine. Maybe they will think twice the next time.
February 7th, 2010 at 1:44 PM
Warms the cockles of my heart to hear and see those stories.
February 7th, 2010 at 2:13 PM
Just wondering (will not affect my donation that I plan to give) could the eagle survive with the loss of its foot? Thanks.
February 7th, 2010 at 2:18 PM
Duct Idaho – that eagle will likely be kept because it would be dead within a week of released with one foot gone.
February 7th, 2010 at 2:23 PM
Eagles are wondrous . . . .
I’ve been in awe of them since I was a little girl.
February 7th, 2010 at 2:42 PM
This is another reason i dislike trapping,things like this happen,We found traps set up along a river that ran thru some land we rented and got rid of them because we had two rescue dogs that could have been caught in them. I have no idea what whoever set these traps wanted to catch but is a no no on private land without permission.I have seen pictures of animals who chewed their legs off to get away,sick sick sick IMO
February 7th, 2010 at 2:57 PM
One or two idiots set up the trap. Many good people worked to try to save this bird. It almost restores my faith.
February 7th, 2010 at 3:12 PM
Fortunately there are people who want to save all God’s Creatures, and their habitat.
As opposed to those who want to “develop” God’s gifts and in doing so kill everyliving creature.
February 7th, 2010 at 3:12 PM
I can’t recall the times that Dr. Doty and PET ER came to my rescue in Anchorage. We are all blessed to live in a world where we are given the chance to aid our fellow creatures. My sincere thanks to everyone involved in this story, and to everyone who loves animals and tries to do their best for them.
February 7th, 2010 at 3:18 PM
Love that picture of the bald eagle. We have two bald eagles near where I live in NJ. I always get a thrill when I see them.
February 7th, 2010 at 4:16 PM
This is a great story! I love golden eagles. They are so majestic.
February 7th, 2010 at 4:18 PM
At my granddaughter’s nursery school, there was a Raptor Rescue center and the children were able to help take care of these wounded creatures while they recovered. What a tremendous lesson in compassion for these children.
Last summer we visited the Museum of the Adirondacks and were fortunate enough to meet their rescued Raven. What a thrill.
Three years ago I had the amazing good fortune to see four eagles flying while we were on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River in Bellevue, Iowa. I shall never forget the sight of those magnificent bird soaring in their majesty.
February 7th, 2010 at 4:24 PM
We have bald eagles in our area as we are only about two miles from Puget Sound. Once in a while we spot them flying over our neighborhood. Fabulous.
I can’t imagine what it’s like to rescue an eagle, though. We rescued a robin and some other bird once. There was a lady who nursed them back to health and then released them close to the area where they were found. I remember trying to find some place for the injured bird when our girls were little. So we all went together – it feels really good to know that you’ve given a bird, or any creature, another chance.
Another of my favorite blogs is the one for the Virunga National Park where some of the remaining mountain gorillas live. The sad news two days ago was that one of the babies was caught in a snare. Today, it was posted that the baby had been found and freed but with a nasty looking injury to his face:
http://gorillacd.org/2010/02/07/gorillas-face-mangled-from-snare-injury/
People just aren’t very helpful to wild life if left to their own devices.
February 7th, 2010 at 4:33 PM
We are blessed to live close to the Skagit river and its population of Bald Eagles. We see them often and always enjoy watching them. I have yet to see one fishing, but maybe… someday. We have a friend who is in wild animal rescue and rehab. Theirs is a wonderful calling.
February 7th, 2010 at 5:51 PM
How wonderful to read of people going out of their way to help and do genuine good things. A very refreshing change. One could only wish that it were emulated more often.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:11 PM
I love the picture of the bald eagle. We have two in NJ near where I live and whenever I see them I get such a thrill.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:42 PM
We are so lucky here to have thriving bald eagle and other raptor populations. I have watched whole families soaring and playing on the wind above my kayak. It never gets old.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:45 PM
How wonderful in every way.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:50 PM
I have only seen Golden Eagles once in the wild. We had gone down to the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in a remote corner of Oregon and stopped by the HQ to check things out. Looked up and saw a pair of Goldens perched in a tall tree. Awesome sight! One of my most cherished memories.
Same trip saw Bald Eagles being chased by a Ferruginus (sp?) Hawk — seems the Baldies had gotten too close to the nest of the Ferruginus and was being shooed away.
Here in Portland we have a couple of known Bald Eagle rookeries — and lots of Great Blue Herons (official city bird!)
February 7th, 2010 at 6:51 PM
NO wins superbowl! Always nice when it’s a team that hasn’t made it before. This party should be unparalleled in Superbowl win history. Congrats, all in NO.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:53 PM
Forgot to mention that Portland Audubon does wonderful rescue work at their Wildlife Rehab Center.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:55 PM
And Bourbon Street will ROCK tonite … not that it usually doesn’t? But … still. Awesome! and that last interception – wow. Take that Katrina. Take that former President Bush. Take that FEMA. And Senator Landrieu – laissez les bon temps rouler! Hello Place de Armes (my fave hotel in the French Quarter)!
February 7th, 2010 at 7:01 PM
WHO DAT?
DAT’S THE SUPER BOWL CHAMPION SAINTS!
February 7th, 2010 at 7:15 PM
I used to do wildlife rehab for the Ohio Wildlife Center. I care for injured and orphaned ducks and geese. I’ve visited a few other centers while traveling and the first time I ever saw an eagle fly I cried! It just touched something so deep in my I can’t explain it.
On a lighter note, I had to go do field rescue once to get two injured vultures in the middle of the summer. Vultures puke as a defense and they did just that in my car on a hot day and a nearly 2 hour drive in rush hour to the rehab center. At a stop light, some guy in a pick up truck looked over into the back seat of my car, saw the 2 vultures and stared as that song “I can feel it coming in the air tonight” started playing on the radio. We both just cracked up laughing.
Wild life centers are wonderful places to visit and donate to.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:58 PM
Wonderful post! Best wishes for the birds!
My true story: “Two Birds in the Christmas Wreath.”
At this moment there is a pair of wrens snuggled down in a nest they constructed in the Christmas wreath on my front door. Several years ago, I left my Christmas wreath on the door until Spring (long story) and the wrens made a nest in the wreath.
I discovered their presence when I opened the door one day and both flew into my house. After they raised their babies, I took down the wreath for storage as it looked a wee bit odd to have a Christmas wreath up in June but I couldn’t bear to pull out the nest. When I put it back up in December, I was surprised to see the wrens were back to use the nest for warmth against the winter cold.
When Spring comes again this year, they will raise another brood of tiny wrens amidst the red bows and evergreens…..and I won’t take down the nest until June. Happens every year. I feel honored to have them as guests.
February 7th, 2010 at 8:10 PM
Lee. What a nice story.
February 7th, 2010 at 8:16 PM
(((merrycricket)))
(((Lee323)))
Wonderful stories.
February 7th, 2010 at 8:25 PM
Very nice story, Thank You!
February 7th, 2010 at 8:40 PM
Nice to hear positive stories. Thank you.
February 7th, 2010 at 9:44 PM
Please do a follow-up on the golden eagle and let us know if its leg is OK. Eagles are breath taking creatures and I am proud to know that there are people who will go to such lengths to help them. Thanks for the great story.
February 7th, 2010 at 9:55 PM
The folks at Bird TLC are just wonderful. I worked in Dutch Harbor for the Feds for a couple of years and was a “first responder” for all eagle related calls: eagle in hold of crab boat, injured eagle in city limits, sick eagle at the dump, etc. I’d go scoop them up, put them in a kennel, and get them on a flight to Anchorage (Penair never charged us for this service back then- not sure if it still works the same way) Someone from BirdTLC would meet the flight and the eagles would get the care they needed. One bird in particular provided a truly amazing experience for me. I got a call about a dead eagle in the middle of the road out by the dump. Well, he wasn’t quite dead yet, but pretty close; flat on his chest and he couldn’t pick up his head. I got him back to the office and tubed him with pedialyte. He smelled awful, like petroleum. The fluid seemed to do him some good and he started regurgitating this pink, taffy looking goo. I spent the rest of the night alternatively tubing and pulling the pink stuff out of his croup. By morning he could hold up his head and actually opened his beak for the tube! I couldn’t believe it! I never tape talons with most birds I work with and never had a problem. I just usually made sure they were well wrapped in a blanket. This guy just sat there with no constraints, watching my every move, and just waiting for me to come over to clean him up a bit more and offer another drink. He was on a flight by mid-morning. I was told later by Bird TLC staff that he was very active by the time he got to their facility and was released shortly after. I like think he made it and is a little smarter about human dumps. Thanks for posting the golden eagle story and for everything else you do! I couldn’t make it through the Tea Party thing- I admire your strength!
February 7th, 2010 at 9:55 PM
We have bald eagles nesting at Barr Lake, north and east of Denver. They are gorgeous- and I appreciate all the tireless work the Raptor Rescue does in the metro area, as well as the raptor rescues in other parts of mudpupland…
February 7th, 2010 at 9:58 PM
A wonderful Bird TLC volunteer “babysat” our 2 parrots when we moved to Alaska in 2000 (they flew….on Northwest; we drove). Bird TLC has been doing remarkable, caring, “under-the-radar” work for years. Thanks, AKM, for highlighting such a great organization…and some awesome birds!
February 8th, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Handsome , beautiful birds – and the folks that work to save them deserve our thanks and, when possible, donations.
A group here in the Buffalo / WNY area built a large bird sanctuary and they sometimes take Owl, Hawk and Eagle in to teen drug rehabs. I was covering one a year or so ago and the reaction from the kids was moving and amazing. Most of the kids had never seen ANY bird up close before. They were in awe of such regal reps and they were asking questions left and right. Good medicine !
February 8th, 2010 at 2:25 AM
My best dreams are those in which I can fly.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:42 AM
lettersfromeurope………..ditto!
I have seen the bird population grow dramatically in my area over the past 10 years due to habitat and care/feeding by local homeowners.
The finches are here right now and will soon be leaving but I think no matter where you live…just look out the window and enjoy.
Alaska is so very fortunate to have the abundance of wildlife……
February 8th, 2010 at 6:31 AM
ava – I have discovered that if I create a habitat, the birds will come. I dislike squirrels and other rodents but those critters keep the red shouldered hawks nesting in my woods. All I need to do is figure out a way to keep the stupid crows away.
February 8th, 2010 at 8:49 AM
Mudpups, make yourselves heard!
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/02/palin_hand_notes_obama_telepro.html