For Eagles and Us, Get the Lead Out

     Yesterday I got a call from the avian rehabilitation/education center where I used to be on staff and now volunteer.  There was a report of an injured Bald Eagle about twenty miles from my home.  I grabbed a blanket, large cardboard box, a net, a pair of gloves, and headed to the location.  I met the helpful homeowner at his rural central Wisconsin home. 

     He had seen the eagle along the road in his front yard, but the bird had hopped away, through deep snow, down toward a frozen creek surrounded by trees and thickets.  We followed the tracks (although I have caught up and rescued eagles and other raptors previously, this was the first time I had to actually track an eagle in the snow).  After ten minutes or so, I saw the bird ahead of us along the frozen creek near a steep, snow-covered bank.  The homeowner headed off in a direction to distract the eagle, so it would watch him, as I closed the distance as fast as I could without falling or startling the bird.  Following a brief chase, I threw the blanket over the eagle, fortunately cushioned by the powdery snow, got control of both feet, and gathered the bird up, cradling it like a baby.  The trek back to the house was a bit tricky, but we all managed to get back to my vehicle without further problems.

     I placed the eagle, apparently suffering from a wing injury, gently into the cardboard box and secured it for the ride to the avian care facility.  After getting further information from the helpful homeowner, I drove the fifty miles to the center, where the eagle was examined.  Besides the wing injury, it was determined that the eagle also had likely internal injuries as well as lead poisoning.  The lead poisoning was likely the initial problem, causing disorientation enough for the bird to have been hit by a vehicle along the road.

     The eagle is under very good care and seems to be doing as well as possible at this point.  I will remain hopeful that it can be released at some point for a second chance back into the wild.  The problem with lead in the environment, however it gets there - lead shot, fishing tackle, etc. - is a serious one.  Lead is bad for everyone and everything in our environment.  Looking into the eyes of this magnificent and sadly disoriented eagle and feeling its heartbeat against me as I held it closely and carefully, I was happy that I was able to help this beautiful bird get a chance to recover but sad and frustrated that the whole event had to occur at all.   I hope for the best.