Thursday, September 25, 2014

British Columbia fisherman rescues injured eagle

A malnourished bald eagle is recovering after being rescued by an angler in Nanoose Bay earlier this month.

Don Dunbar was fishing Sept. 7 when he spied the young eagle “floundering” in the water. He pulled his boat alongside the bird and tried to help.

Dunbar recorded the rescue on video and posted it to YouTube Saturday. See video after cut



The 12-minute clip shows Dunbar coaxing the bird into his boat. The eagle is reluctant at first, but eventually swims into Dunbar’s net and lays his head down. Once aboard, it finds a perch on the guard rail.

“You’re the most unusual fishing partner I’ve ever had,” Dunbar says to the bird.

Once Dunbar and his catch reached the shore, the eagle was taken to Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL) in Delta, B.C.

Staff said the eagle was severely malnourished and suffering from an infection in his throat. Once the infection is treated and the bird gains weight, it will be released back into the wild.

“I came in early this morning to check on him and he seems to be doing good,” OWL staffer Mindy Dick said Tuesday.

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