An eaglet found outside its nest Tuesday evening behind the police and fire building on Monterey Avenue is faring well at a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Metchosin.
A resident discovered the young eagle and with the help of Oak Bay Police Department officers took the bird to Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital, a drop-off location for injured and distressed wild animals, open 24/7 and located by Mayfair Mall. The eaglet was given emergency care and was transferred to BC SPCA Wild ARC on Wednesday morning.
“The eaglet is doing well and so far, we have not noticed any serious injuries, although in some cases, bruising appears a few days after the injury,” said Christina Carrieres, senior wildlife rehabilitator at Wild ARC in an email to the Oak Bay News. “He/she (at this stage, we don’t know if it’s a male or a female) did have a small amount of blood in her/his mouth and minor swelling on her left leg on arrival, but has since resolved and she has full mobility and use of her leg.”
Staff collected blood on arrival as part of the initial physical examination and values were within normal limits.
“She is kept under close observation by our wildlife rehabilitation team, was given rehydration fluids and hydration therapy, pain control medication, and offered salmon and fresh water,” Carrieres said. “She is currently in an isolation enclosure in one of our intensive care areas.”
The yong eagle is in fair body condition, weighs four kilograms and is estimated to be eight to nine weeks old. Bald eagles fledge around 10 to 13 weeks.
“At this point, we are considering various options and assessing them in order to select the best course of action to take in terms of reuniting her with her family,” Carrieres said.
One resident feels the wild wind May 23 was responsible for the young eagle landing outside its nest, firmly anchored in a tree behind the police and fire building on Monterey Avenue.
“I heard something like a little tweety bird and I knew there was something in the high weeds,” said the resident, who asked only to be identified as Jean-Francois. “It was a huge eagle sitting on a rock there. I knew it was not an adult but it was big.”
After a couple hours calling for help through the Conservation service and the SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Metchosin (Wild ARC), Jean-Francois took it upon himself to get the feathered youngster to safety. He feared someone nefarious, or another wild animal would get it in the night. Fortunately a pair of police officers were on hand to help.
“I organized everything with some people,” he said, leaning on a French accent. “I have experience to catch wild animal but not a big bird like this.”
He’s rescued crows, pigeons and other small birds over the years but this was a new adventure.
“My astonishment made me more courageous,” Jean-Francois said. He bundled up in protection against talons, beak and strength to capture the “very small but strong animal.”