Bald eagle struck by vehicle rescued

UPDATE: 6:10 p.m., March 1

From Eileen Wicker of Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky, Inc., "She's getting stronger, but weirdly, she is not eating unless she is hand-fed. Then she wolfs it down. But if we just leave the food, she doesn't eat it. Very unusual. She goes in for a recheck at the vet Friday."

Officer Josh Hudson with the Kentucky Department of Fish and
Wildlife secures an injured bald eagle Friday as Crittenden County
Deputy Sheriff Greg Rushing helps home deposit the raptor for rescue.

A mature American bald eagle was rescued late Friday afternoon in northeast Crittenden County after being hit by a vehicle. The injured eagle, with white plumage on its head and tail, was left alongside the highway until officer Josh Hudson with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife was able to respond.

The eagle, the national symbol of the United States, was removed from the scene by Hudson along with the help of Crittenden County Deputy Sheriff Greg Rushing  and taken to Eddyville where the Fish and Wildlife officer awaited a courier from the Raptor Rehabilitation Center of Kentucky in Louisville to pick up the injured bird of prey. There, the bird will be nursed back to health, if possible.

Though addled, the raptor did not appear to have suffered life-threatening injuries. It was able to make its way from the shoulder of the roadway after being struck on Ky. 365 near Sturgis to tall grass about 10 feet off the road. The driver of the vehicle that struck the bird called local authorities as well as Fish and Wildlife after striking the low-flying bird. He was later released.

Rushing stayed with the bird until Hudson arrived in order to help him put the eagle in a box for transport. A blanket was first put over the bird to calm it and also to allow Hudson to corral the fighting raptor as he placed it in the box.

The bald eagle, once listed as endangered, was taken of the threatened list in 2007. Despite, the raptor remains protected by law and to intentionally kill or possess the bird is illegal.

Once rehabilitated, the bird should be released near where it was hit in Crittenden County. It was not clear whether the eagle was a male or female.

PHOTO BY PAUL BEARD