Talon-locked bald eagles treated at Nova Scotia's Hope for Wildlife
At Hope for Wildlife, a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Seaforth, N.S., a major emphasis of the overall mission is providing care for injured animals and birds.
“From song birds to sea birds to birds of prey,” said director Hope Swinimer. “We get all kinds of mammals and anything you can think of.”
That includes bald eagles.
In January, Swinimer received a call from the South Shore area of Nova Scotia. Two bald eagles had been discovered on the ground.
“Their talons were locked onto each other, which does happen and we are aware that that happens,” said Swinimer.
“At first thought, we thought maybe they were doing their courtship routine.”
Upon closer examination, it was discovered they were two females.
“It was probably some form of dispute, perhaps over food,” said Swinimer.
One of the eagles was fairly healthy and was released within five days.
“The other had to stay because she had a badly fractured wing,” said Swinimer.
The eagle was operated on by the veterinary team at the animal hospital onsite.
“Looking at the X-ray, you can see it is kind of right in the middle of the bone,” said Tessa Jackson, who is with the medical team at Hope for Wildlife. “The break was mid-shaft, so it makes pinning nicer as the post can be placed closer to the joints.”
The best-case scenario is a full recovery within eight weeks.
“And then she’ll be outside for a bit regaining that muscle she’s lost,” said Jackson.
That will be followed by a period of exercise within a flight cage.
“We will be able to release her from there,” said Swinimer.
January was the busiest month ever for birds of prey at Hope for Wildlife, with 35 patients.
The facility will hold a “Hope Raffle” to help purchase expensive bird food – food that will be eaten by the recuperating bald eagle.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Golf season a summer tourism driver in Canada
Golf is a sign of spring and summer and a major driver for seasonal tourism, experts say.