Trust was rescued in Potomac. Owl Moon Raptor Center Photo
An injured American bald eagle was recovered in the area of River Road and Riverwood Drive on March 3 at approximately 8:45 a.m. According to Montgomery County Police, Animals Services Division Officer Jennifer Gill responded to the area and was met with a resident who had observed the eagle walk into the woods.
Gill located the eagle; it appeared to have an injury that prevented it from flying. Gill wrapped the eagle in towels and Maryland Department of Natural Resources Officer Danny Thomas assisted Gill in placing the eagle in a carrier for transport to the Owl Moon Raptor Center, a wildlife rehabilitation center in Boyds specializing in birds of prey. Gill named the eagle, “Trust.”
In a posting on the Owl Moon Raptor Center’s website, owlmoon.org, Natasha Lewandrowski wrote: “... we brought Trust to Bennett Creek Animal Hospital, where we took radiographs, and Dr. Debbie Deans examined her to get a clearer picture of her injuries. We learned that she has a fracture in her left shoulder. The coracoid bone, which runs from her shoulder to the breastplate was fractured mid-shaft from an impact, presumably caused by a motor vehicle. The coracoid is an important bone for flight because it supports the shoulder during the pull of the downstroke. Therefore, the prognosis for her returning to full flight is guarded. We have wrapped that wing to her body to immobilize it for at least three weeks, so the fracture can heal. We will remove the wrap periodically to do physical therapy and keep the joints mobile. We are not certain that our efforts will be successful, but we will give her the best possible chance of recovery of flight.
“Another thing we learned from the radiographs is that there was some trauma to Trust's cranial air sacs from the impact. Air sacs are part of a bird's respiratory system. We think she can recover from this, but it is affecting her breathing, and there is still a small amount of internal bleeding evident in her mouth, so she is not completely ‘out of the woods’ yet. She is, however, alert and on her feet.”
For video of Trust preparing for his ride to the rehabilitation center, visit https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JRYZdU3AhvA.