A drenched bald eagle, grounded at a Brantford, Ontario landfill, was successfully rescued and is now recuperating at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Bylaw officers faced challenges but eventually managed to extract the eagle from the Brantford Landfill Site Scale on Monday.
Chantal Theijin, the authorized wildlife custodian at Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge in Nanticoke, described the eagle as resembling a soaked and smelly drowned rat upon arrival. It is believed that the eagle, likely scavenging at the dump, was caught in heavy rains that swept through parts of Ontario.
Supervisor Ian Harrower of bylaw compliance for the City of Brantford recounted the efforts to rescue the eagle, involving approximately six individuals. The operation, lasting around 40 minutes, required staff to use dirt bikes to guide the bird towards capture.
Following concerns of a possible broken wing, the eagle was transferred to Hillside Kennels Animal Control and then to Hobbitstee for care. The rescue effort was a collaborative endeavor involving various parties from the landfill supervisor to animal control and the wildlife refuge.
The rescued eagle, now under the care of Chantal Theijin, is expected to recover fully within two to four weeks. While X-rays and blood tests showed no abnormalities, the eagle’s feathers require time to heal due to being covered in an unidentified substance.
The Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge, reliant on community donations, provides sanctuary for a variety of wild animals. Theijin expressed surprise at the attention garnered by the eagle and highlighted the refuge’s commitment to rehabilitating wildlife at no cost.
Despite the eagle’s current deathly stare, an indication of her recovery, Theijin emphasized the importance of patience and understanding in caring for wildlife.
