Injured bald eagle is the perfect metaphor for America in 2016
In a whirlwind of an election year, America may seem like it's beaten down and injured on the side of a Florida highway. But don't worry, it's all going to be OK.
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Julio Velez responded to a call after a male bald eagle collided with a Jeep Cherokee on a turnpike near St. Cloud on Tuesday morning. The driver of the jeep was uninjured in the accident.
After arriving at the scene, Velez slowly approached the bird located on the shoulder of the road and was able to safely move him to his patrol car using a bear hug technique until wildlife officials could arrive.
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Although the eagle suffered no broken bones in the accident, he did have increased lead levels and sore muscles, so he was taken to Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland for rehabilitation.
Dianna Flynt, rehabilitation supervisor at the Audubon Center, told the Los Angeles Times they believe it won't be long before the bird is released.
"It looks very promising that he's releasable, but we do want to treat him for the lead level, internal parasites and any other issues that might arise," Flynt said.
Flynt also explained that the bird's increased lead level may have been the reason the eagle was flying so low, or it possibly was hunting for prey.
Audubon officials plan to release the bird with a band on its leg in St. Cloud, near where it was found, in case the bird was nesting in the area.
Earlier this month, another bald eagle needed to be rescued after colliding with a car and getting stuck in its bumper. That eagle was also OK.
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America: battered, but OK.
Topics Animals
