Trapped Bald Eagle is Gradually Recovering

Wolf Hollow photo

Wolf Hollow shares this update on that bald eagle…

A Bald Eagle that was found at False Bay with a leg-hold trap attached to its foot is recovering at Wolf Hollow.

The eagle, which was spotted by several people who live in the False Bay area, was having trouble taking off because a heavy metal trap was clamped on one foot, and it was dragging a length of chain behind it. The first attempt to capture the eagle was unsuccessful because it was still able to fly, but the following day, Wolf Hollow staff were able to catch her.

Wolf Hollow photo

The eagle must have been struggling with the trap for several days because she was thin and weak and her tail feathers were dirty and broken. The trap was immediately removed, but the jaws of the trap had smashed the bone in the middle toe of her left foot and the surrounding tissue was dead.

After a couple of days of treatment at Wolf Hollow, the eagle was strong enough for surgery, and veterinarian Dr Susan Besel operated to remove the damaged section of toe. The rest of her foot looked healthy, but it was difficult to assess how much damage had been done to muscles and tendons by dragging the heavy trap around.

Over the next few days the eagle spent a lot of time lying down, but she ate ravenously and gradually regained her strength. When the bandages were removed her toe had healed well, so a few days later she was moved into an outdoor enclosure where she immediately hopped up onto a perch. She was a little unsteady, so we know it will take a while for her to adjust to perching and grabbing food with a missing toe. At this point she still spends some time lying down and we can’t be sure if she will regain full use of her injured foot, but she is making progress.

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