In late November, a golden eagle made an unexpected landing on a road in central Prince Edward Island. These birds are seldom seen in the Maritimes, prompting Hope for Wildlife in Seaforth, N.S., to prepare for its release upon favorable weather conditions. Initially discovered by a passerby on Greys Road in Belle River, P.E.I., the eagle was unable to fly and appeared grounded. However, it now seems healthy and robust, a testament to its remarkable journey.
Candy Gallant of P.E.I. Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Inc. was informed about the bird’s predicament. She, along with a passerby, managed to move the eagle to safety using creative means, including a coat and later a blanket. Eventually, a Humane Society officer, employing “big leather gloves and the biggest, softest duvet,” safely retrieved the eagle.
The bird stayed with Gallant for a few weeks before being transferred to Hope for Wildlife, where it underwent a comprehensive examination checking for conditions like rat poisoning and avian influenza. The results indicated that it was likely exhaustion or some other temporary condition requiring recovery time.
At Hope for Wildlife, the golden eagle was placed in a flight cage with a bald eagle, allowing both raptors to keep each other company. The two birds proved to be compatible companions. According to Hope Swinimer, founder of the centre, seeing the golden eagle’s recovery was extraordinary.
Golden eagles, while often confused with their bald eagle counterparts, are renowned for their fierce predation skills, targeting live prey such as rabbits and, on occasion, larger animals like sheep. These birds are native to western North America but occasionally migrate eastward in search of better hunting grounds during winter.
Hope Swinimer hopes for clear sunny weather to release the now-recovered eagle, but the centre is prepared to care for it through the winter if conditions aren’t optimal. The eagle’s recuperation and imminent release highlight the resilience and beauty of these remarkable birds.
