.png)
SMITHVILLE — A bald eagle found badly injured in a field near Smithville is on the mend thanks to swift action from local wildlife officials and the dedicated team at Austin Wildlife Rescue.
Discovered with an exposed fractured wing and a large open wound, the eagle was transported Dec. 15 to Austin Wildlife Rescue’s rehabilitation facility after a two-hour journey by a Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden. Under the care of the organization’s experienced staff, the eagle is making steady progress, with daily bandage changes and careful monitoring ensuring its recovery stays on track.
“The eagle is alert, eating well and regaining strength,” Jules Maron said, executive director of Austin Wildlife Rescue. “We are committed to giving this incredible bird the best possible chance to heal and return to the wild. Its journey reflects the resilience of our wildlife and the vital role we all play in protecting these national treasures.”
The bird of prey was unable to take off or fly, likely attacked by another bald eagle, according to Maron.
The eagle underwent surgery to stabilize its injuries upon arrival. A metal pin was inserted along the entire length of the wing, and X-rays show the fractured bone is beginning to fuse, reports said.
For now, it will be kept in crates to allow the bones to heal properly. In about a month, the bird will be allowed to stretch its wings but will still require months of intensive care and rehabilitation before it can be released back into the wild.
“Feathers are the longest thing to wait on — sometimes it can take up to a year,” Maron added.
The rescue team is cautiously optimistic about the eagle’s recovery, showing promising signs.
This rescue also comes at a symbolic moment, just days before President Joe Biden signed a bill into law Dec. 24, officially designating the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States. While the Bald Eagle has long been recognized as a national symbol, this formal recognition highlights its significance in the country’s conservation efforts and identity, according to the team.
Not common in the area, local game wardens typically report seeing only one or two bald eagles a year.
Founded in 1977, Austin Wildlife Rescue provides care to more than 9,000 wild animals each year, serving Austin and surrounding communities, including Bastrop County.
To support their work, visit austinwildliferescue. org, and keep up with the Courier for more about the bald eagle’s recovery.
