Veteran rescues bald eagle with injuries at Estero construction site

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Injured bald eagle at CROW. (Credit: CROW)
Injured bald eagle at CROW. (Credit: CROW)

A symbol of American patriotism is now in an animal hospital after being rescued from an Estero construction site. The man who captured it is a veteran himself.

Think of Jerry Higby as a first responder to birds. As the owner of Wild Things Wildlife, he has caught his fair share of wild animals. But last week, he responded to a call about a bald eagle.

“It was just a lot of running,” Higby said. “Running and running and running.”

That was until Higby tired the eagle out. The injured bird looked dehydrated and could not fly well. A concerned caller found the wounded eagle at a construction site in Estero. Higby suspects the eagle has been stuck at the site for about two days.

Veterinarians at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife spent the morning examining it.

“A pretty significant wound on the underside of her left-wing as well as an older chronic injury to her tongue in the inside of her mouth,” said Robin Bast, CROW veterinarian, “which forces the tongue to stick out abnormally from the side of her beak.”

But, they hope the surgery, which will take place on Tuesday morning, will get the bald eagle soaring in no time. Here is a link to watch the surgery.

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