An injured, young bald eagle is getting a second chance thanks to a Ross County Wildlife Officer.
According to the Ohio Division of Wildlife, a volunteer hunting education instructor first spotted the injured eagle and let Officer Bob Nelson know about the situation.
When Nelson arrived on the scene and got a good look at the bird, he realized that it was still a youngster. Brown markings on the head are indicators of a juvenile bird. Bald eagles don’t get their iconic snowy white head until they’re fully grown at around four or five years old. The bird was suffering from spinal injuries. Since the eagle would be unable to look out for itself in the wild, Nelson took it to the Glen Helen Raptor Center in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Members of the raptor family found in Ohio include hawks, vultures, owls, and the bald eagle. The Glen Helen facility is the only raptor rehabilitation center in the area and rehabilitates up to 200 birds a year, with about half of those birds recovering enough to be returned to the wild. One thing that makes Glen Helen unique is that offers extra-large cages which means they can accept large predators like the bald eagle and have enough room to house them.
If you see an injured raptor in the wild, they advise you to call the Ohio Divison of Wildlife for assistance. If you must handle an injured bird, wear gloves and try covering the bird with a towel or blanket to protect both of you from injury.
