A drenched bald eagle, unable to fly, was rescued from a garbage dump in Brantford, Ontario, and is currently receiving care at a wildlife rehabilitation center.
Bylaw officers faced challenges but ultimately succeeded in extracting the eagle from the Brantford Landfill Site Scale on Monday.
Chantal Theijin, the licensed wildlife custodian at Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge in Nanticoke, described the scene: “When we opened the box she was in, a horrific smell emerged. She looked more like a foul-smelling drowned rat, completely soaked.”
Theijin speculated that the eagle was likely foraging at the dump when she became trapped by heavy rainfall that impacted parts of Ontario on Monday.
“It’s not unusual for our majestic eagles to frequent the garbage dump.”
The eagle is recovering, but it will likely be some time before she can leave the refuge. (Submitted by Chantal Theijin)
The rescue proved to be challenging
Ian Harrower, the supervisor of bylaw compliance for the City of Brantford, mentioned that he received reports about an immobile eagle at the dump. He noted that it required a team of about six individuals to rescue the determined bird.
Harrower described it as a “little adventure” for him and his colleagues, who likely didn’t anticipate spending part of their Monday working amid wet refuse and mud while attempting to rescue a bald eagle.
As the bird was unable to fly, staff utilized dirt bikes to guide her toward individuals on foot who were trying to catch her, according to Harrower.
“She liked to hop around quite a bit,” he remarked. “She jumped over a few creeks and streams that traversed the dump area and ventured into some brush.”
When they finally cornered the eagle, Harrower recounted how he and his team “tossed their jackets over her.”
Catching the eagle was not an easy task, according to Ian Harrower, the City of Brantford bylaw compliance supervisor. (Submitted by Ian Harrower)
The entire operation at the landfill lasted about 40 minutes, Harrower reported.
“Typically, we handle property standards, lawn grass, weeds, and the usual bylaw complaints,” he explained.
“So this was just one of those unique cases.”
He also mentioned that individuals at the landfill feared the bird might have a broken wing, which fortunately was not the case. The eagle was taken to Hillside Kennels Animal Control, where one of their volunteers transported her to Hobbitstee.
Harrower emphasized that the rescue was a collaborative effort involving “everyone from the landfill supervisor to the bylaw department, to Hobbitstee, and to Hillside.”
“We just went out there and devised a plan that worked out flawlessly.”
The eagle’s feathers had an unusual ‘goo’
Theijin noted that it is not uncommon for them to rescue eagles at the Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge, seeing around one or two dozen each year.
She expressed surprise at the attention the eagle was receiving.
The refuge accepts a variety of wildlife, including squirrels, foxes, coyotes, hawks, and other birds, all at no cost to the public.
Situated in Nanticoke, Haldimand County, Theijin stated that the refuge operates entirely on community donations.
The eagle is anticipated to make a full recovery in a few weeks, according to Chantal Theijin, the authorized wildlife custodian at Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge. (Submitted by Chantal Theijin)
The newly rescued eagle is expected to heal, but this process may take between two to four weeks, as per Theijin. X-ray and blood test results returned normal; however, her feathers require time to recuperate.
Due to the need for a thorough washing and the presence of a peculiar, unpleasant “goo,” the natural oils in her feathers were compromised, Theijin explained.
Even though the eagle has been “reasonably patient” with her caretakers, she possesses a fierce glare that she seems ready to utilize.
“In my experience with wildlife, nearly all the animals we care for would prefer to harm me, and that’s absolutely fine… It indicates they are on the mend,” Theijin stated.
“So in my world, I take pleasure in being disliked.”