WATCH: A fisherman on Vancouver Island recently netted an unusual catch on a fishing trip that turned into a wildlife rescue mission. Kylie Stanton reports.
VANCOUVER – A fisherman took some time out to save the life of a bald eagle recently.
Don Dunbar was fishing off the coast of Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island on Sept. 7 and spotted a young bald eagle floating on the surface of the ocean.
It was floundering and slowly sinking due to its drenched wings. It is not known how long he was in the water but eagles can be good swimmers.
This one was having trouble however.
“I’d throw you a life jacket but I haven’t got one that will fit you,” Dunbar can be heard saying in the video.
Dunbar managed to pull the eagle aboard in its net and although the bird tried to fly away, it couldn’t,
so the fisherman took it to shore. It was then picked up by wildlife rescue crews from O.W.L.
“We were able to rescue the bird that evening and he was stabilized up in Nanoose Bay,” said Mindy Dick, one of the bird care staff members at O.W.L.
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“Yes he was waterlogged at the time, but he was also extremely emaciated so he was obviously having a hard time finding food.”
It is hoped the bird will make a full recovery but he had to go to the vet on Monday due to an infection in his throat.
“He is still in intensive care and it’s unfortunate it took this turn,” added Dick.
She said the next couple of months the bird is going to be monitored very closely to get the infection under control.
“We’ve got to make sure he puts weight on. He’s only 2,800 grams, which is 2.8 kilos. He needs to be definitely over four to be a healthy juvenile male bald eagle.”
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