A rare raptor has been rescued and is currently being nursed back to health by a Walnut Creek wildlife hospital after suffering a head injury and possible poisoning.
A young female golden eagle, weighing in at approximately 11 pounds, was brought to the Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital on Friday after San Ramon firefighters found her on a sidewalk, unable to fly farther than 50 feet.
Veterinarians say the eagle is recovering from a head injury as well as possible poisoning from eating a small mammal that may have consumed rodent poison.
Golden eagles are a rare find for the wildlife hospital – they typically see less than ten in a year.
But that’s not the only thing that makes this particular bird unique. The raptor was discovered with an East Bay Regional Park District GPS monitor on her back, indicating that she is part of a study that tracks the flight paths of local birds. Researchers are hoping to use that data to avoid building wind-energy turbines in places that might harm the birds.
According to the wildlife hospital, this young bird is about a month away from being back on the East Bay Regional Park District’s radar. After its healed, the eagle will have to pass flight tests and live prey tests before being released.
“Our goal now is to rehabilitate the bird back to her usual feisty self,” associate veterinarian Lana Krol said.
Veterinarians at the wildlife hospital say the eagle has improved over the past few days and they are optimistic about her chances for release.
