Bald eagle rescued near Similkameen River recovering at B.C. Wildlife Park

KAMLOOPS – It was around noon on Sunday when a rancher in the Princeton area spotted an apparently injured bald eagle near her property.

B.C. Conservation Officer Joe Garay was called to the scene, where he found the bird, which wasn't able to take flight.

"When I found it, it appeared quite alert, so it seemed like it was in good condition but it couldn’t lift itself up to take off," Garay says.

Garay was concerned for the young bird. It kept walking into the freezing river and seemed to be cold in general.

He did end up getting a hold of the bald eagle, which is now recovering at the B.C. Wildlife Park in Kamloops.

Garay says the eagle was most likely struck by a vehicle, perhaps on Highway 3, adjacent to the river. Some soft tissue around the bird's spinal cord flared up which contributed to the bird not being able to move.

He says the bird was likely in shock after being struck by the vehicle, and was able to make its way from the highway, across the river to the rancher's property.

But the prognosis is good for the eagle.

"I think it’s all going to be a good news story for that guy," Garay says.

He says he thanks B.C. Wildlife Park for their help with this situation, and their quick actions to accept the bird.

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