Video: Eagle with fractured wing rescued from roof of Naples theater, treated, then released
The eagle has rebounded.
Just over a month after a bald eagle was found on top of a Naples theater with a fractured wing, the animal was released in early November after a successful rehabilitation. Watch the video above and read on to find out what happened.
Injured bald eagle found on rooftop theater in Florida
In September, wildlife hospital volunteers and staff were called to the Sugden Community Theatre in Naples with an eagle sighting. Naples police reported an injured bald eagle on the rooftop.
After the bird was rescued and evaluated at Von arx Wildlife Hospital, it was found to have a fractured wing, significant soft tissue damage at the fracture site, and both of the eagle's feet had multiple lacerations, according to the environmental advocacy organization Conservancy of Southwest Florida. At the time, it was said that the eagle would be in their care "for at least three months."
Just over a month later, the rehabilitated eagle was released from a field at Gulfview Middle School and it soared off into the sky.
But first, there was some maneuvering. The eagle's carrier was carefully placed well away and the staffers backed up.
"You've got to stay there 'cause you never know which way he's going to go," said Conservancy Wildlife Hospital volunteer, Tim Thompson, who assisted in getting the injured eagle down two flights of stairs and two narrow, enclosed ladders when the call came.
The bird of prey flapped its wings wildly inside the carrier until one person draped a cloth over the front.
"Everyone's getting this on their phones?" he asked. "Got a horizontal, a vertical ... Good. I'm going to ask you for those," Thompson said, before pulling the door open wide and moving behind the carrier.
After a shaky start, the newly-healed bald eagle launched into the air.
What do I do if I see an injured bald eagle in Florida?
The sooner an injured bald eagle, or any injured wildlife, receives assistance, the less suffering it has to endure, so says the Conservancy Wildlife Hospital. In Southwest Florida, you should immediately contact the wildlife hospital at 239-262-2273. If you can, be prepared to text photos and/or video of the situation to help the staff determine the best course of action.
You can find a list of licensed Florida wildlife rehabilitators here, or contact your local Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regional office. Do not attempt to keep any sick, injured, orphaned, or otherwise impaired wildlife beyond the time necessary to transport it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. It's against Florida law.
If the animal is a domestic or feral animal, such as a dog, cat or horse, please contact the nearest Humane Society, Animal Services Office or Animal Control Agency.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: After rehabilitation, rescued Florida bald eagle released into the wild
