Firefighters come to aid of injured eagle along I-84
PORTLAND, Ore. – Firefighters and animal control officers helped rescue a bald eagle that was struck and injured along I-84 on Wednesday.
Around noon, Portland firefighters driving on I-84 were flagged down to report an injured bald eagle on the side of the highway. Firefighters used their truck to block off several lanes as they tended to the injured animal.
They called in officers from Multnomah County Animal Services, who managed to corral the bird and take it to the Audubon Society in Northwest Portland.
Deb Sheaffer, an Audubon veterinarian, said the eagle has a broken leg and injuries to both feet. It also is suffering from partial paralysis.
The bird was swooping down on the road to likely snag a dead animal that was nearby when it was apparently hit by a car.
Sheaffer said the bird has been stabilized for now and vets will conduct a CT scan on Tuesday morning. They believe it’s an adult that is at least five years old.
Thank you Firefighters for saving this gorgeous eagle! This little guy was really calm and probably know that they are helping him out. Thank you again.
@Sunny If he indeed has a broken back like the press says, he will never be what he once was unless the vets can fix him. There is nothing more majestic than watching these amazing raptors catching thermals above my hill - just the wingspan is impressive enough as every other bird dives for cover in my trees to include the Red-tailed hawks...
I saw this but it was today Wed 2/20/13 not Monday? When I saw the fire truck i knew things would be OK!
ha ha, now I have one less food competitor to deal with
@Phuzz Do you eat field mice and snakes and stuff?  Oh well, live and let live!  =)
@Phuzz The ospreys along Marine Drive are going to be next.
Couldn't watch the video, when I clicked on it reads "this video is private"
For such a huge, wild bird, it sure is chill. Just hangin out in that bag. They are absolutely gorgeous, but it looks so angry!
I just get chills looking at them. ...especially when they pass under the wing. You see a lot of them in the Gorge now, and the court over Sauvie Island. They sound so different than the canned Hollywood "eagle cry." What a magnificent creature.
@Playanekes You can always spot them on the Deschutes River right when you cross the bridge at Warm Springs especially in the mornings....they're scoping out the fish while the fishermen on the shore are getting zero bites.  So awesome to watch.
What a beautiful bird... I love watching these eagles, especially in flight..! Â Â I hope this one can be helped to full recovery and eventual release back into the wild...
Thanks to the person who reported this to the firefighters, to the firefighters for the rescue, and to the Audubon Society for the wonderful work they do..! Â :-)
Thanks goes to the Good Samaritan who flagged down the PFD in the first place. Their wing spans are just incredible to watch in flight. Hopefully the bird will recover well.Â
Our national symbol, a scavenger. Too early for chicks.Â
It could have been the turkey . . . .
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@HenryBowman Would you carve that into quarters?
@Bubba Horowitz Replace tofurkey with tofeagle?
What a beautiful - very angry looking - bird. I am sure it will be happy for the care, but I wouldn't tangle with it! Good job for the rescue!!!
From what I can see it's beautiful. I hope it's a male & not a female with chicks/eaglettes someplace..Â
@cwpholder There's a cool eagle cam site you might be interested in...it's kinda cool to watch the adults prep the nest, then watching through horrible blizzard conditions as they take turns staying on the egg.  They didn't use this nest this year but they did last year...couldn't get QuickTime to work just now, but give it a try if you're interested.
Oops, it wouldn't let me post the link. Â It's www . fs . fed.us / outdoors / naturewatch / eaglecam . html -- but without all the spaces. Â Now I'll see if this works.!
@cwpholder  If I remember right only males heads turn white and they don't turn white till the eagle matures which is around the age of five.
@Common Sence @cwpholder Both sexes have white heads beginning about age 4-6.
@Common Sence @cwpholder Thanks a bunch..
That makes me feel better. It would be so sad to have babies left behind alone. :)
@cwpholder  You're right, it's beautiful....but it takes both parents to raise eaglets. However most likely there isn't any for this guy. They estimated his age at around 5 years, which is young yet for taking a mate and if you look at his chest while he's on his back, there isn't a brood patch. I'd say no, male or female... no eggs/eaglets left behind. Â
@WildRedHairedWoman @cwpholder & Common Sence-
Thanks a bunch to both of you. That puts my mind at ease.. :)