A quick-thinking passerby and a local animal expert rescued a sick bald eagle early March 18 and expect the bird to make a full recovery.
Bristol resident Tom MacGregor was pulling into the parking lot of Hanley’s Market in the early morning hours when his headlights illuminated an unusual shape along the shoulder of Bristol Road.
MacGregor investigated and discovered a bald eagle. He wrapped the bird in a blanket, tied it with rope and called for help.
Bristol resident and state Animal Damage Control Agent Mike Witte received a call at about 2 a.m., picked up the eagle and took it home to warm up.
Witte performed a cursory exam and could not immediately find the source of the trouble. The bird was alert and standing upright, both encouraging signs.
He was able to identify the bird as a 7-year-old male from its band. Biologists sometimes band eagles as chicks to study their movements and survival rates, and this bird was banded in Washington, Maine in 2006.
Witte began the process of transporting the eagle to Avian Haven in Freedom later in the morning. The eagle arrived at 10 a.m. and an exam revealed minor cuts and bruises as well as an elevated lead level.
Eagles should not have lead in their blood, Witte said. The staff at Avian Haven speculates the eagle could have ingested lead fragments while feeding on an animal carcass, although the cause is difficult to establish with any certainty.
The Avian Haven staff will treat the eagle for its elevated lead level and potentially release him into the wild after treatment, although there are no immediate plans to do so, Witte said.
The bald eagle is the first Witte has worked with in about 7-8 years and just the third in about 15 years in animal damage control.
He credits MacGregor for his willingness to stop and presence of mind to corral the sick bird. “If it’s on the ground, it’s in danger,” Witte said. “Something would have ended up getting it.”
