Sep 22, 2009 9:10 pm US/Eastern
EcoZone: Free As A Bird
DORAL (CBS4) ―
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This feathered guy was blindfolded so he wouldn't hurt himself, but he was finally released into the wild after being rehabilitated.
CBS
A South Florida college student discovered something very rare in her backyard. A bald eagle had landed in the lake behind her house and it was hurt.
CBS4 cameras were there as the eagle and its handlers were at Daniela Ruiz's home in Doral--the same place where officers from Florida Wish And Wildlife came to save it a week ago when the student reported it hurt. The crew came back to release the Bald eagle and set it into the wild.
The student recalled the events that happened after she saw the bird. "At first, I think the lady kind of laughed at me. You have an eagle in your backyard. Then, they transferred me to someone who believed me a little more," said Ruiz laughing.
The eagle was by the lake behind the house next to a pile of duck feathers. After a fight, it seemed the eagle ate the duck and may have gotten ill. The eagle fell into the water and remained there for 8 hours.
"From there, it did not come out of the water. They say it was intoxicated from the bird he ate," said Ruiz. After spending time in the lake, the Fish and Wildlife came to get the bird. They brought him to the Miami Science Museum where he spent some time recuperating. He was dehydrated and underweight.
But now on a Tuesday afternoon, as handlers prepare for his release, the eagle seemed to be in better shape. And as he was released near the lake where he almost died, he didn't even look back. A few years ago, the eagle was removed from the endangered list. Officials say it is becoming more common to see eagles in more urban areas like Doral.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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