Injured Bald Eagle Rescued by Bradenton Police Near Manatee Avenue
A distressed bald eagle is now in expert care after being rescued by officers with the Bradenton Police Department near 8th Street West and Manatee Avenue in Bradenton.
Authorities say an observant passerby noticed the large bird struggling to fly and contacted police. Responding officers located what is believed to be a 5-year-old bald eagle on the ground. The bird appeared unable to take flight and was safely secured by officers to prevent further injury or harm from nearby traffic.
Due to the eagle’s size and strength, officers exercised caution while placing the bird in a patrol vehicle for transport. The eagle was later transferred to the care of specialists from Wildlife, Inc. Education & Rehabilitation Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating injured native wildlife.
Wildlife experts transported the eagle to an emergency veterinarian for evaluation and treatment. The cause of the bird’s distress has not yet been released, but rehabilitation specialists will assess its injuries and determine the next steps in its recovery.
Bald eagles, once endangered in Florida, are now a conservation success story and are commonly seen soaring over Manatee County’s waterways and coastal areas. Local officials expressed hope that, with proper care, the eagle will recover and return to the skies over the Friendly City.
