The animal care unit of Salmonier Nature Park has been nursing a juvenile bald eagle back to good health after it was rescued Aug. 24 by three Nalcor Energy Churchill Falls line workers.
The line workers — Phil Morris, Chris Kehoe and Donnie Philpott — were on ground patrol that day inspecting the 230 kV power lines when Morris noticed a juvenile bald eagle hanging by the tip of its wing that had become trapped in the frame of a transmission tower line.
Morris contacted local wildlife officer Ellis Bartlett for advice on how to approach and handle the eagle, and then the three workers climbed 60 feet up the steel structure, freed the eagle and coaxed it into a crate.
“We don’t do many rescues in our job,” Morris said. “But it felt pretty good to do what we did.”
Bartlett took the eagle back to Churchill Falls and contacted the animal care unit of Salmonier Nature Park. He then transported the eagle from Labrador to the park on the island portion of the province.
Park employees administered fluids for dehydration and wrapped the eagle’s wing and body to prevent further injury.
“An unbelievable story for this bird to survive this stressful ordeal,” said Rod Collins, animal curator at the park.
Morris’ son, Thomas, has named the eagle “Ossok.”
The park’s veterinarian has said Ossok is now in good condition and has been put on an increasing food diet. Once fully recovered, she will either remain at the park for educational purposes or be sent to another park or zoo in Canada.
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