Amateur photographer in Newfoundland seeks help for eagle with trap on claw

CLARENVILLE, N.L. – Residents of a Newfoundland town are hoping a majestic bald eagle flying around with one claw snagged in a trap can be helped, but so far it has only been caught on camera.

Harry White, an amateur photographer, has been taking pictures of the adult eagle for about three weeks whenever he sees it flapping around Clarenville’s dump, and has been posting the pictures on social media.

“It’s definitely five years of age or older because it has a white head and white tail and black body,” White said in an interview.

He said the raptor was first spotted by another amateur on January 11.

White said the small steel trap appears to have snapped shut on the centre claw on the eagle’s left talon.

“It’s like a mink trap. It’s probably three or four inches wide and is one of those spring traps like a double-D shape,” he said.

White said it should only take a few seconds to remove once the bird is caught.

Connie Boland, communications manager for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency says conservation officers have made several trips to the dump but have yet to see the bird.

“Conservation officers will continue to monitor the situation and will work with the Department of Environment and Conservation, Wildlife Division, to facilitate a capture once an opportunity arises,” she said in a statement.

White said he’s heard from residents who want to try to catch the eagle, but he warns it’s a wild animal in distress.

He said he has taken pictures of the eagle on the ground feeding, sitting in the trees and flying but it’s hard to tell if it’s suffering.

“It’s able to fly no problem, but I’ve noticed in pictures I’ve taken closer up that its beak looks damaged, probably from trying to pick at the trap to get it off,” he said.

White said he is worried that if nothing is done the bird could become ill and unable to hunt.

He said bald eagles are a common site at the dump, where he’s seen as many as 20 of them there at a time.

— By Kevin Bissett in Fredericton.