Police Officers Make Timely Rescue Of Injured Bald Eagle Found On California Interstate

A wounded bald eagle was saved by CHP-Redding at an interstate highway in northern California. The bird of prey, which is protected under federal laws and regulations, appeared to be injured. Fortunately, police officers got to it before something far worse could happen.

A Plea For Help

CHP-Redding, through a Facebook post, explained they received reports of an injured bald eagle blocking one lane on the interstate near Knighton. Within a few minutes, police officers arrived on the scene and found the stately bird standing on lane number one. CHP units scrambled to get the injured bird to the shoulder of I-5, away from speeding vehicles that might inadvertently hit it.

A few minutes after the rescue, the Department of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) and the Shasta County animal control arrived. Personnel from these agencies helped put the eagle in a cage so it could be safely transported. Police officials said that the DFW will be taking the wounded bird of prey to a facility where it will be checked and treated for its injuries.

Hundreds Of Bald Eagles

According to the DFW, hundreds of bald eagles reside in the state of California year-round. This number, however, oftentimes, increases during the winter season when scores of bald eagles escaping the extreme cold up north migrate to the Golden State. “On some midwinter statewide surveys, more than 1,000 bald eagles have been counted in California,” a statement on the DFW website reads.

Information about bald eagles can also be found on the U.S. Forest Service website. The agency said that the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area of northern California plays host to nearly 20% of the nesting eagles in the state. The website also revealed that, while the stately birds build their nests in towering coniferous trees, they have also been known to make ground nests in other areas.

In the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, bald eagle nests are often found on tree species like Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine, and Sugar pine. Their chosen tree is usually the tallest as it provides them good visibility and easy flight access, ornithologists say.