After being rescued, the eagle was brought to a quiet corner at the police station, where it enjoyed a meal of salmon and steak to replenish its strength. “The way that they can deal with winter is the same way we deal with winter,” noted Cusimano. “They have a built-in down coat. So it really comes down to feathers, and a couple of practices on their part, like behavior on their part.”
A frozen bald eagle found in distress was tenderly transported to an Alaskan police station for care and rehabilitation before being released back into the wild. Working alongside representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the majestic bird underwent a thorough assessment. Following a night of thawing, drying, and nourishment, the eagle was deemed ready for release.
Cusimano underscored the critical importance of knowing how to properly handle such delicate situations. “I wouldn’t handle an animal if you don’t know what you’re doing, just like you wouldn’t handle someone who you just saw get into a car wreck right in front of your house,” she emphasized, urging individuals to acquaint themselves with local animal rescue and rehabilitation resources.
In the wild, resilient birds like the bald eagle typically manage harsh winter conditions well, thanks to their remarkable adaptations. Nevertheless, with increasingly severe weather patterns, Cusimano highlighted the potential challenges that lie ahead for bird populations. “Many bird species are in decline. We’ve lost 3 billion birds since 1970, according to a number of recent studies, and obviously, climate change and intense weather events have a lot to do with that.”
Fortunately, this heartwarming tale concludes on a positive note: following a successful recovery overnight, the eagle was joyfully released back into its natural habitat. Witness the touching moment as the majestic bird takes flight once more.
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