A bald eagle that lingered in a Fanning Springs resident’s yard was captured by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and taken for evaluation, according to resident Ed Emrich.
Emrich spotted the mature eagle on Oct. 12. He said it showed no obvious wound or broken wing and was able to fly, but it mostly walked around his property. He also noticed a slight droop on the bird’s left side.
After the eagle was still there the following day, Emrich contacted the FWC hotline and then the local FWC office after other organizations did not have local resources available, he said. Officers Daniel Jones and Garrett McLemore responded that afternoon.
During the rescue, the eagle flew into the screen enclosure around Emrich’s pool before moving into a corner near the home, according to Emrich. The officers captured the bird with gloved hands, placed it in a carrier and transported it to the University of Florida for evaluation. As of Oct. 20, Emrich said he was awaiting an update on its condition.
Bald eagles are no longer listed as federally threatened or endangered, but they remain protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The protections generally prohibit people from killing, injuring, capturing or possessing eagles without federal authorization, and also cover nests, eggs and feathers.
FWC advises Floridians who find a bald eagle that appears sick or injured to keep their distance, note its location and concerning behavior, and call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 for instructions. The agency also asks residents to report injured or dead manatees, dolphins, whales, sea turtles, gopher tortoises, Florida panthers and black bears through the hotline.
