Injured bald eagle rescued from storm drain after territorial battle

[AlisonL]

Orlando, Florida

Yesterday evening, two bald eagles who were locked in a territorial battle ended up in a storm drain, one on top of the other, at the edge of a busy road.

Emergency responders were called, the curb lane blocked off, and the area taped off to keep people back from the birds. After about an hour, one eagle was able to fly away on his/her own. The second eagle disappeared farther into the storm drain.

After about another hour, the eagle was rescued and taken to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. She has injuries to her feet, legs and chest, and a cracked beak.

There has been a huge amount of media coverage of this rescue.

The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey (whose staff member pulled her out of the drain) have video of her being cared for at the Center, and also links to two videos of the extensive live coverage. Channel 9 has the most complete video coverage of the rescue.

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

http://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/2-bald-eagles-trapped-in-orlando-drain

http://www.wftv.com/news/local/bald-eagle-injured-on-leg-chest-after-being-stuck-in-storm-drain-/466050468

[Kris G.]

I watched the whole story unfold on FB yesterday and read the update on her injuries last night.  I'm glad they got her out of the drain ok and she's receiving good care. Thanks for posting!

[Donna]

Man, they can be brutal on each other!! Hope the one that flew off has no injuries!! 

[AlisonL]

Video of the bald eagle being examined and treated at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey this morning. She has some nasty, deep puncture wounds. Her beak does not have serious damage, and fortunately the growth plate is not affected.

What an incredibly patient eagle. I hope she will feel better soon.

https://www.facebook.com/AudubonCenterforBirdsofPrey/videos/vb.178399165506339/1332449200101324/?type=3&theater

[Carol P.]

Saw this on the news this morning. The eagle on top was not going to let go. Even when the rescuer's were approaching. Happy to hear that the rescued eagle should be ok. 

[MAK]

Thanks Alison! Interesting to watch her get cleaned up and tended to! 

[AlisonL]

The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey has posted a video of the next treatment session and feeding of the eagle, now referred to as Bald Eagle 743.

Very interesting video and information. She is receiving excellent care, and she is an incredibly good patient. Coating her beak with acrylic will strengthen it, prevent further damage and make it easier for her to eat when she is able to eat on her own again.

https://www.facebook.com/AudubonCenterforBirdsofPrey/videos/vb.178399165506339/1332859640060280/?type=3&theater

[MAK]

The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey has posted a video of the next treatment session and feeding of the eagle, now referred to as Bald Eagle 743.

Very interesting video and information. She is receiving excellent care, and she is an incredibly good patient. Coating her beak with acrylic will strengthen it, prevent further damage and make it easier for her to eat when she is able to eat on her own again.

https://www.facebook.com/AudubonCenterforBirdsofPrey/videos/vb.178399165506339/1332859640060280/?type=3&theater

Looking good! 

[Donna]

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/rescued-bald-eagle-in-critical-condition-audubon-bird-rescue-says Rescued bald eagle in critical condition, Audubon bird rescue says   

Flynt said the eagle initially appeared to have a broken beak and puncture wounds from the fight with the other eagle. On Monday she said she noticed fluid or air around the eagle's heart.

[Carol P.]

Awww darn. 

Saying a prayer. 

[AlisonL]

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/rescued-bald-eagle-in-critical-condition-audubon-bird-rescue-says Rescued bald eagle in critical condition, Audubon bird rescue says   

Flynt said the eagle initially appeared to have a broken beak and puncture wounds from the fight with the other eagle. On Monday she said she noticed fluid or air around the eagle's heart.

This is terrible news, Donna. I hope the eagle will be able to keep fighting and eventually recover. I had been checking for updates, but there had been nothing on the site. 

A different article:

http://www.wftv.com/news/local/injured-rescued-eagle-takes-turn-for-worse-caregivers-say/467100420

Now I am not sure if the eagle is at Audubon or in intensive care at Winter Park Veterinary Hospital.

[Kris G.]

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/rescued-bald-eagle-in-critical-condition-audubon-bird-rescue-says Rescued bald eagle in critical condition, Audubon bird rescue says   

Flynt said the eagle initially appeared to have a broken beak and puncture wounds from the fight with the other eagle. On Monday she said she noticed fluid or air around the eagle's heart.

This is terrible news, Donna. I hope the eagle will be able to keep fighting and eventually recover. I had been checking for updates, but there had been nothing on the site. 

A different article:

http://www.wftv.com/news/local/injured-rescued-eagle-takes-turn-for-worse-caregivers-say/467100420

Now I am not sure if the eagle is at Audubon or in intensive care at Winter Park Veterinary Hospital.

The article does say it's been moved to Winter Park in order to receive intensive care.  Very sad news..

[MAK]

Jeeze, I hope she makes it. 

[AlisonL]

Another article, from about an hour ago:

Bald eagle rescued from storm drain moved to intensive care

Updated: 7:13 PM EST Nov 14, 2016

It's an image that was shared thousands of times on social media: A pair of bald eagles found intertwined and partly stuck in a local storm drain.

One of those eagles flew away, but the other remained stuck and had to be freed by animal rescue services.

The eagle was taken to Audubon Center for Birds of Prey for treatment. The bird's condition has taken a turn for the worse.

It was cheers all around when the eagle was finally freed from the storm drain Thursday night. There were two eagles stuck there at first, both crashed into ground locked together in a fight over territory.

Michael Goldman from the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey knew it was bad.

"Who knows how high up that they were? And they fell. They fell very far, very fast," Goldman said.

One eagle managed to fly away, while at the center, treatment started immediately for the most badly injured bird.

"Puncture wounds to the feet, legs and chest. We were able to bandage those up," Goldman said.

Shortly after the roadside rescue, many people were optimistic about the eagle's condition, but it was later learned that it was badly injured during the fight. The injured eagle was rushed to Winter Park Veterinary Hospital over the weekend for critical care. It now has fluid or air in its body cavity, experts said. It could no longer stand on its own Sunday morning.

"We're not exactly sure what's going on. There were some internal injuries that our X-rays were not able to pick up," Goldman said.

Late in the afternoon, the eagle was moved back to Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.

The eagle remains in critical condition, but many are hoping the trip to the hospital will help the eagle that captured the hearts of so many people.

http://www.wesh.com/article/bald-eagle-rescued-from-storm-drain-moved-to-intensive-care-4bdynm3z/8290461

[Kris G.]

Another article, from about an hour ago:

Bald eagle rescued from storm drain moved to intensive care

Updated: 7:13 PM EST Nov 14, 2016

It's an image that was shared thousands of times on social media: A pair of bald eagles found intertwined and partly stuck in a local storm drain.

One of those eagles flew away, but the other remained stuck and had to be freed by animal rescue services.

The eagle was taken to Audubon Center for Birds of Prey for treatment. The bird's condition has taken a turn for the worse.

It was cheers all around when the eagle was finally freed from the storm drain Thursday night. There were two eagles stuck there at first, both crashed into ground locked together in a fight over territory.

Michael Goldman from the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey knew it was bad.

"Who knows how high up that they were? And they fell. They fell very far, very fast," Goldman said.

One eagle managed to fly away, while at the center, treatment started immediately for the most badly injured bird.

"Puncture wounds to the feet, legs and chest. We were able to bandage those up," Goldman said.

Shortly after the roadside rescue, many people were optimistic about the eagle's condition, but it was later learned that it was badly injured during the fight. The injured eagle was rushed to Winter Park Veterinary Hospital over the weekend for critical care. It now has fluid or air in its body cavity, experts said. It could no longer stand on its own Sunday morning.

"We're not exactly sure what's going on. There were some internal injuries that our X-rays were not able to pick up," Goldman said.

Late in the afternoon, the eagle was moved back to Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.

The eagle remains in critical condition, but many are hoping the trip to the hospital will help the eagle that captured the hearts of so many people.

http://www.wesh.com/article/bald-eagle-rescued-from-storm-drain-moved-to-intensive-care-4bdynm3z/8290461

I read tonight that it might have a spinal fracture..not good.