AUTAUGA COUNTY, Ala. – A bald eagle that was discovered limping on a Prattville road on New Year’s Eve has been set free after a 230‑day healing period at the Auburn University Raptor Center. The bird, the nation’s emblematic raptor, suffered a gunshot wound that left shotgun pellets embedded in its wing.
Local rescue and quick action
Eddie Tucker, a Prattville resident, spotted the injured eagle hopping along the roadside. “We saw it hopping around and we knew the bird was injured,” Tucker said. “It was helpless, and we were afraid it would get hit. It’s our nation’s bird, so we figured it was the right thing to do.” Tucker and a friend captured the bird and turned it over to wildlife officials for medical care.
Medical treatment at the Raptor Center
Robyn Miller, PhD, a veterinarian with the Auburn University Raptor Center, explained that the eagle required two surgeries to remove the pellets and repair the damaged wing. The bird also needed time to molt new feathers to replace those damaged by the injury. “It’s been a long journey to recovery,” Miller said. “The bird is flying beautifully now, and we’re excited to see it return to the wild.”
Release back to its home county
Following the successful rehabilitation, the raptor was released in the same county where it was found. The Center follows a policy of returning birds to their original locale to minimize the risk of introducing new diseases into the ecosystem. Bald eagles are federally protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and violations can result in fines reaching tens of thousands of dollars.
Community involvement and wildlife stewardship
The rescue underscores the importance of community members acting as stewards of local wildlife. Tucker’s quick response and the expertise of the Auburn University Raptor Center together ensured the eagle’s survival. Residents are encouraged to report injured wildlife to local authorities and to avoid shooting near populated areas.
About the Auburn University Raptor Center
For more than five decades, the Auburn University Raptor Center has cared for injured birds of prey, providing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and education to the public. The Center continues to rely on community support and volunteer involvement to fulfill its mission of preserving raptor populations across Alabama.
Original reporting: Alabama News Network — read the source article.
