Florida State Trooper rescues bald eagle hit by Jeep

[AlisonL]

On October 21, a bald eagle flew into the path of a Jeep traveling northbound on Florida's Turnpike, and struck the windshield.

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Julio Velez heard a trucker mention the incident, and went to investigate. He found the eagle standing, stunned, on the shoulder of the road. Trooper Velez pulled over and approached the eagle cautiously. The eagle made no attempt to fly, so the Trooper carefully picked up the injured eagle, and took the bird back to his patrol car. He settled the eagle in the back seat, and took the bird to get help.





Video of the rescue:

http://youtu.be/WOQhkgPR00E

More information and video:

http://www.wftv.com/news/local/bald-eagle-rescued-by-fhp-trooper-on-florida-turnpike/458722193

[AlisonL]

The eagle rescued by Trooper Velez is now in care at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. This has been the only update so far on his condition:

The Bald Eagle rescued by FHP Trooper Julio Velez is in stable condition here at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. While there were no fractures, it does appear there is some internal bleeding. We're treating him for increased lead levels and internal parasites. We'll keep you posted with his condition.

Photo: Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.



https://www.facebook.com/AudubonCenterforBirdsofPrey/

[Kris G.]

The eagle rescued by Trooper Velez is now in care at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. This has been the only update so far on his condition:

The Bald Eagle rescued by FHP Trooper Julio Velez is in stable condition here at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. While there were no fractures, it does appear there is some internal bleeding. We're treating him for increased lead levels and internal parasites. We'll keep you posted with his condition.

Photo: Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.



https://www.facebook.com/AudubonCenterforBirdsofPrey/

Thanks for posting, Alison..hope he makes it.

[MAK]

The fact that this eagle survived with no broken bones is amazing and so it just has to survive! Kudos to the patrolman that rescued it!!! 

[Carol P.]

So happy that Trooper Velez was there to help this eagle. 

[AlisonL]

The eagle who was rescued by Trooper Julio Velez has been released! He is now flying free again.

It was good to see that Trooper Velez was there to participate in the release.

From Channel 9:

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - A bald eagle who flew into a Jeep on the Florida Turnpike was back into the wild on Friday.

The eagle was found on the side of the road in October when Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Julio Velez rescued the bird and put it in the back of his squad car until help arrived.

The eagle was released at a golf course in St. Cloud Friday, a site chosen because it was near where the bird was found and not near other bald eagle nests, officials said.

Velez said he stopped to rescue the injured bird from the roadway because he was worried it would get hit by a car.

For nearly a month, volunteers rehabilitated the animal at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland.

It was suffering from muscle soreness and internal injuries, officials at the center said.

Velez, who recently had unrelated shoulder surgery, said the eagle didn't seem to initially appreciate the rescue.

"He scratched me here, grabbed me," he said, referring to his right arm.

Velez hoped that the eagle's story would inspire people to give a helping hand in their lives, because there are "still a bunch of good people out here willing to help anyone out in a time of need."

Image from Channel 9:



Article and video of the release:

http://www.wftv.com/news/local/rescued-osceola-county-bald-eagle-will-be-released-back-into-wild/468435384

[AlisonL]

From the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey:

Success! The Center was able to release the 547th rehabilitated Bald Eagle after being rescued by a Florida Highway Patrol officer in October.

Photo: Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.



Audubon Center for Birds of Prey also provided a video:

https://www.facebook.com/AudubonCenterforBirdsofPrey/videos/vb.178399165506339/1340010162678561/?type=3&theater