Our intern at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland reports for us a wonderful story of a tenacious baby eagle and an even more tenacious Audubon volunteer named Robert. Enjoy:

This past week a concerned citizen from Sanford, Florida called about a baby Eagle that had fallen from his nest and was now in their backyard. Robert Veal, a senior volunteer at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, offered to go and pick up the Eagle. When Robert arrived at the address, the Eagle had hopped his way out of the back yard and into the street. Robert figured this would be an easy catch since the bird was just hanging out on the pavement and seemed to be calm disposition.

Upon approach though, the Eagle hopped and flapped his way right into the swamp on the other side of the street. This didn’t stop Robert. He went in right after the Eagle over bushes and branches, through muck and swamp water. He successfully retrieved the Eagle and brought him back to the Center to be examined for injuries.

After medical evaluation, staff determined he was without injury but was rather thin and was treated for malnutrition.  He was predicted to be around six weeks old by the stage of growth his feathers appeared to be in.

The medical staff was successful in treating him and the Eagle was able to achieve a healthy weight. He was just released back into the wild near the same area he was found.

This is an excellent story that portrays the importance of our volunteer staff and how much they do for the environment and nature.