An eagle that was in distress was found Friday by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper on the Florida Turnpike.
FHP Orlando posted a picture on Twitter of Trooper Franko putting the bird in the back of his cruiser.
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The injured bald eagle was lifted from the back of the highway patrol car at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.
Trooper Jonathan Reyes said the male bird was found in the median of the Florida Turnpike, north of Canoe Creek.
Tpr Franko rescues stressed Bald Eagle 🇺🇸 from the FL Turnpike just moments ago. #Trooper are now on the way to Audubon Birds of Prey in hopes for this American Icon to receive the care it needs. pic.twitter.com/T9X23V5yeh
— FHP Orlando (@FHPOrlando) January 5, 2018
“The left wing was flared up. It had some signs of either struggle or it was breathing a little heavy,” he said.
Troopers rescued the eagle and headed straight for the center.
Here’s the bald eagle arriving at the Audubon Center in Maitland this afternoon. Staffers say his injuries were too severe and they made the decision to euthanize. pic.twitter.com/Z2eaqnTx01
— Michael Lopardi (@MLopardiWFTV) January 5, 2018
“I was just sitting back there with him so he wouldn't move around and get more hurt than he was,” Franco said.
The Audubon Center said the eagle may have been hit by a car, but troopers did not find any debris.
The staff here discovered the bird had internal damage and they decided to euthanize it.
“Even though it unfortunately ended up not making it, it didn't have to suffer for any longer,” said Beth Lot, a worker at the center.
She said eagles are more likely to be out and about this time of the year because it's nesting season.
“They are very focused on their prey and that's all they see. So, they'll just fly right in front of vehicles and get hit unfortunately,” she said.
Troopers say the bald eagle is a protected species and if drivers hit one, they need to call the highway patrol or police.
Cox Media Group
