PHOTOS: Injured bald eagle recovering at local rescue
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SPENCER, Ohio (WJW) — A young, 12-pound bald eagle found in a local park, injured and unable to fly, underwent surgery at a Medina County nonprofit and is now “doing amazing,” workers said.
Medina Raptor Center first learned of the injured avian in mid-December. Two men came across the bird in Lake Metroparks‘ Hell Hollow Wilderness Area, a high clifftop that plummets more than 100 feet into a creek valley, according to the center’s Thursday Facebook post. They captured and took her to the center.
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This photo was taken after the eagle’s surgery. The surgery area can be seen at the top of her wing. (Photo courtesy of Melissa Jordan) Another X-ray shows the pins placed along the eagle’s humerus to hold the bone in place as it heals. (Photo courtesy of Melissa Jordan) This photo shows an X-ray of the eagle’s fracture — a clean break on the top part of her humerus. (Photo courtesy of Melissa Jordan) (Photo courtesy of Melissa Jordan)
“Upon arrival, we were blown away by her size,” reads the post. “During her intake, she tipped the scales at over 5,000 grams (approx. 12 lbs.). This confirmed she is a female. In the 33-year history of the Medina Raptor Center, she is the largest bird ever treated at the MRC!”
An X-ray showed the eagle had a clean break in her left humerus bone, which is in the upper part of the wing. A few days later, a surgery to install pins to hold the bone together while it heals was successful. The pins were removed four weeks later when after X-ray showed the bones had healed.
“Now without pins, she is doing amazing!” reads the post. “The next steps in her rehabilitation involve physical therapy, strength training and flight work. We are optimistic that she will be ready for release come spring.”
Based on her plumage, the eagle is believed to be about 2 years old, according to the rescue. Executive Director Melissa Jordan told FOX 8 News that bald eagles don’t develop their signature white head and tail feathers until they’re about 5 years old.
Medina Raptor Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit animal rescue that runs entirely on public donations, Jordan said. To learn more or to donate, visit the center’s website.
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