Doctors hopeful eagle struck by car will recover


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MAPLETON — The eagle has long been a symbol of America, with its pride and "ruler of the skies" mentality.

Several schools throughout Utah have adopted this powerful bird as a mascot. So it's no surprise that when a female golden eagle was struck by a car near Delta on Jan. 18, several people took action to save her.

An MRI revealed no permanent damage to the bird's brain or optic nerve. (Photo courtesy Riverwoods Imaging Center)
An MRI revealed no permanent damage to the bird's brain or optic nerve. (Photo courtesy Riverwoods Imaging Center)

The Great Basin Wildlife Center in Mapleton had a few volunteers lend a hand in rescuing the badly injured bird. The damage from the impact of the car caused head trauma, a concussion and blindness to the eagle, as well as a wounded wing.

The bird was taken to the Park Animal Hospital in Provo to have surgery on a lacerated wing, and afterward was transported in a cage by volunteer rescue personnel.

The volunteers took the bird to the Riverwoods Imaging Center where it received an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) performed by Radiologist, Dr. Wendell Gibby. The image revealed no permanent damage to the bird's brain or optic nerve, and the swelling of the brain had receded. Although it remains blind, the eagle is responding to bright lights.

During the procedure, the eagle was given a shot to relax her, and the bird was held down to avoid injury to the technicians from the sharp talons.


It was a fun experience. I think the bird will recover.

–- Dr. Wendell Gibby


"It was a fun experience," Gibby said. "I think the bird will recover. The imaging was very useful and I am hopeful that the bird's sight will return, as we did not see any brain, orbit or optic nerve damage. As such, we caution against premature throwing in the towel."

The eagle continues to recover at the rescue facility, but must regain more of her sight to be able to survive. "Otherwise federal rules require that she be destroyed," said volunteer director, Pattie Richards. Rescue volunteers can continue to work with the bird for up to six months — possibly longer with an extension.

If the eagle does regain some of her sight, she can be released to a zoo with an education permit. She will not likely ever be released in to the wild again, unless she regains all her sight and "can prove that her brain isn't scrambled through a test kill," said Richards.

Veterinarians and volunteers are hopeful that the eagle will recover soon and eventually soar again as a symbol of pride.

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Faith Heaton

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