An adolescent bald eagle is now under the care of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) following its discovery in a ditch in Hamilton Township, Van Buren County. A passerby noticed the distressed bird near the intersection of County Road 681 and 72nd Avenue and alerted authorities at approximately 9:35 a.m. yesterday.
The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office, in a statement obtained by UpNorthLive, confirmed that the eagle appeared to have been laying in the ditch for a couple of days before its rescue. Locals in the vicinity similarly told WOODTV the eagle had been seen in the same spot over the past few days, raising concerns about its condition and safety.
Upon arrival, the DNR and the Van Buren County Sheriff's deputies were able to safely capture the juvenile bird without causing further harm. The exact cause of the eagle's injuries was not immediately clear, but the bird is expected to receive necessary care and rehabilitation.
As the majestic bird begins to potentially recover, details surrounding the unfortunate incident that led to its injuries remain scarce. According to authorities who spoke to abc57, further investigations are likely to follow to understand how the eagle ended up injured on the side of the road. Meanwhile, the DNR plans to provide updates on the eagle's recovery process as it progresses in the rehabilitation center.
