BY DALE GREENSTEIN PASCO COUNTY
PUBLISHED 10:17 PM ET JAN. 07, 2021
Firefighters save lives for a living — but they are usually of the human variety.
On Thursday afternoon, however, Pasco County Fire Rescue officials say two kids carrying an injured bald eagle knocked on the door of Station 21.
Firefighters said they realized one of the bird’s wings was tangled in fishing line, and its beak was pierced with a fishing hook.
They immediately called for help from the Owl’s Nest Sanctuary, and a volunteer came right over. They estimate the bird was unable to eat or drink for about two days, and it was underweight and dehydrated.
According to a news release, rescuers expect the bird to make a full recovery.
Once it’s stabilized, it will be taken to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay until it is well enough to be released back into the wild.
Pasco County Fire Rescue Station 21 heard a knock on the station door around 4 PM this afternoon.
When Driver Engineer Jerry Brown opened the door, he was greeted by two kids holding an injured bald eagle. The Eagle was tired, and its beak was wrapped in fishing line.
After closer examination, Firefighters realized that the Eagle was underweight, a fishing hook was through his beak, and a fishing line was wrapped around his wing. The line was preventing the Eagle from eating and flying.
The crew called for assistance from the Owl's Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife in Odessa. Dianne, a volunteer from Owl's Nest Sanctuary, hopped in her car and headed to station 21 to assist. It appears that the Eagle was wrapped in the line for about two days, was underweight, and dehydrated.
The team loaded it into a crate, and Dianne transported the Eagle to the Owl's Nest Sanctuary for treatment. Owl's Nest Director Kris removed the hook and examined the Eagle. After the Eagle is deemed stable, it will be transported to Busch Gardens for further treatment.
Thankfully the Eagle appears in good health, and veterinarians believe that the Eagle will fully recover. After the Eagle is cleared from Busch Gardens, it will be released back in the area of Station 21.
A big thank you to everyone who helped save this bald Eagle's life! We are #PascoProud and thankful for this happy outcome!