Heraldnet.com
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 10:14 am
ADVERTISEMENT

LocalNorthwestNation & WorldPoliticsSpecial ReportsPhotosColumnistsMultimedia 
Blog
Jerry Cornfield
Morning mystery: What happened to House Bill 3181?
Your town news
Julie Muhlstein
Columnist Julie Muhlstein's take on life in Snohomish County.
•Latest: 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington
Kristi O'Harran
Columnist Kristi O'Harran writes about people in Snohomish County.
•Latest: PAWS calls out for critter care-givers
Latest gallery

Model Train Show
February 7. 2010 (7 photos)
[More Herald photos]
 
WEEK IN REVIEW
Monday


Lynnwood woman knew area's stories long before ...
Everett rethinks boutique wineries
A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
Sunday


Marysville family comes together amid devastati...
Monroe Correctional Complex to lessen security ...
Extra patrols will be watching for drunken driv...
Saturday


Olympics are in the air
Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shootin...
Edmonds woman leaves gift of millions
Friday


Budget squeeze may close beloved Trafton school
Endgame near on airport flight debate?
Aaron Reardon laments political sparring with c...
Thursday


4-car police pileup in Everett under investigation
Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
Bill would suspend limits on tax hikes
Wednesday


Citizenship classes: All for a better life
Many Snohomish County kids haven't had second d...
Snohomish County jail thrives under sheriff's m...
Tuesday


Mukilteo kids’ cards help Haitians
County Council increases scrutiny on Reardon
Pentagon report a good sign for Everett's Navy ...
 

ADVERTISEMENT

Local News   Print This Article  Email This Page  Subscribe Now! facebook digg reddit del.icio.us fark stumble

The Progressive Animal Welfare Society  (click to enlarge)
An adult bald eagle is recovering at the Progressive Animal Welfare Society after having surgery in Lynnwood on Tuesday. PAWS will release the bald eagle into the wild if its recovery is successful.
Photo by Progressive Animal Welfare Society  (click to enlarge)
An adult bald eagle is recovering at the Progressive Animal Welfare Society after having surgery in Lynnwood on Tuesday. PAWS will release the bald eagle into the wild if its recovery is successful.
 
ADVERTISEMENT

 
 
CONTACT THE HERALD
Robert Frank, City Editor
frank@heraldnet.com
 
Published: Thursday, November 1, 2007

Injured eagle on mend

Lynnwood center takes care of bird hit by auto

LYNNWOOD -- A bald eagle battered by an apparent run-in with an automobile looks like it will survive its injuries, thanks to medical help its been getting at the PAWS Wildlife Center.

The adult male bird suffered many injuries after it apparently hit a vehicle at high speed in the Tacoma area more than a week ago, said Dr. John Huckabee, a PAWS wildlife veterinarian.

"From the injuries, my guess is that it sustained some type of blunt trauma from the right side," he said. "The signs were most consistent with having a collision with a car, then rolling on the pavement."

Huckabee operated on the eagle on Tuesday, repairing "a laundry list of injuries" including wounds that had exposed the bird's skull, damage to one of its eyes and an injury to one of its wings.

"It was in very poor condition when it came in," he said. "It was very nonresponsive, very dehydrated. If it had been left alone, chances are it would have died. It would not have been able to fend for itself in that condition."

The eagle had to be fed with a feeding tube for several days because of a problem with its jaw and overall weakness. Huckabee let the bird recover for a week before operating on it.

There was enough skin to cover the bare spot on its skull, and many of its other scrapes and bruises were cleaned up and should heal, he said.

There are three more serious problems that may not heal properly.

"We're cautiously optimistic that the bird will do well," he said. "The wing appears to be healing OK. The eye we will be monitoring very closely. The beak: We will have to wait see."

If the bird doesn't recover fully and cannot be reintroduced to the wild, it will be put down, Huckabee said.

"We feel that it's very important that animals that come from the wild are returned to the wild," he said. "It's exceptionally stressful for a wild animal to be kept in captivity."

The bird was found in the Lake Tapps area by a woman walking along a trail. She called for help and a state Department of Fish and Wildlife officer got the bird and brought it to PAWS in Lynnwood.

Even though bald eagles have been taken off the federal endangered species list, it remains illegal for a member of the public to pick up an injured bald eagle, said Darren Friedel, a spokesman for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. The birds remain on the state's endangered species list.

Anyone finding a bald eagle under such circumstances can avoid legal trouble by calling the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington State Patrol or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

"Legally, it's unlawful to posses a bald eagle," he said. "People should leave the eagle alone. That way a trained officer can respond and properly handle the bird and transfer it to a wildlife rehabilitator."


Other Advertisers
TODAY'S TOP JOBS
 View All Top Jobs 
Top Cars
Top Homes

ADVERTISEMENT