Juvie Bald Eagle collides with golf ball (Fla) hmmm.

[Donna]

PALM CITY, FL -- The newest patient at the Treasure Coast Wildlife Center in Palm City is stoic.  But when you're our national symbol, you need to be tough.

The juvenile bald eagle was hit by a flying golf ball last week at a course in Indian River County.  The golfer didn't want to be identified.

Two veterinarians in Stuart performed surgery on his wing before he landed at the wildlife center.

"They have splinted it in place and we hope that's adequate and we hope for a return to full function," said Dan Martinelli of the wildlife center.

After two weeks, the fragile wing bone will be X-rayed to see how it's healing.  In the meantime, the eagle is eating fish on its own while it contemplates the future.

"For a bald eagle it's eat, and then rest until it's time to eat again," added Martinelli.

Martinelli said the fact the eagle isn't moving around much is a good thing.

"It is a wild animal and it is subject to fear responses to other reflex actions. We don't want that to occur we want it to stay as still and as calm as possible."

The juvenile bald eagle, which the center has not named, does not look much like Gracie, an 11 year-old bald eagle the center takes to school functions.  Bald eagles don't develop their distinctive look until they're about five years old.

The goal is after the eagle has been rehabbed it can be sent out into the wild, like four pelicans that volunteers from the center released into the water by the St. Lucie Locks Tuesday.

60-70% of the patients at the center are birds.  The hope is that the young eagle won't have to become a permanent resident and will be back flying around soon, just maybe avoiding the golf course.

[MAK]

Man ,what are the odds on that happening?!  Unlucky eagle for sure!   

[Donna]

Man ,what are the odds on that happening?!  Unlucky eagle for sure!   

As long as it wasn't intentional...like the Hawk last year.

[Bird Crazy]

Man ,what are the odds on that happening?!  Unlucky eagle for sure!   

As long as it wasn't intentional...like the Hawk last year.

I remember that 

[Donna]

Not even America's symbol of liberty can avoid attack from bad South Florida  golfing.

Wildlife officials said an errant golf shot nearly ended the life of a young bald eagle that was flying across a golf course in Vero Beach late last month, according to TCPalm.com.

The 2-year-old bird was minding its own business flying across the Sandridge Golf Course when it entered a fairway and became the accidental target of a tee shot. The unidentified golfer was probably aiming for a different eagle, the one on his golf score sheet.

The golf ball hit the bird in the wing and witnesses said the eagle came crashing out of the sky, eventually hitting a tree before laying limp on the grass.

It suffered a broken wing and has since been recovering at the Treasure Coast Wildlife Center in Palm City. Vets say the animal is doing well.

No word on who the golfer was or if he yelled out "FORE!" as is proper bad golf shot procedure, but the incident is being ruled as an accident. It is illegal to attack or trap a bald eagle, which is federally protected as a threatened species.

In case you were wondering, Tiger Woods was gearing up for The Masters during the time of the eagle incident. (yeah and)?