Lt. Jeff Wood was working Christmas Eve at the Charles County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland when he received a call to rescue an American icon. A bald eagle was found on the side of a road in Bryantown, the sheriff’s office stated.
Wood, not only a shift commander but also a falconer, gathered his gear and made his way to the scene. The nearly 12-pound female bird of prey allowed itself to be gently scooped up by Wood and placed in a transport box.
Wood took the eagle to Owl Moon Raptor Center in Boyds about 70 miles away.
The eagle might have to be euthanized if it won’t recover, Shoemaker said, because caring for the birds is expensive and complicated.
But its condition has been improving and Shoemaker said she was optimistic.
“If there’s any hope, she will be given a full attempt to recover and be released,” she told Fox.
The Owl Moon Raptor Center receives about 200 birds of prey a year but focuses on emergency care. The eagle will therefore be moved to Tri-State Bird Rescue for the rest of its recovery.
“While she was very sweet, Lt. Wood took precautions and wore full protective gear to gently handle her,” the sheriff’s office stated. “Maybe we can call her Noel.”