Bald Eagle Rescued from River by Coast Guard Crew

 A Coast Guard crew from Station Saginaw River, Michigan recently rescued a juvenile bald eagle from the Saginaw River.

The eagle was reported to watchstanders who alerted the crew of a a 45-foot rescue boat which was on the river conducting training and was diverted to help the eagle. Once on scene, the boat crew located the bird but was unable to get to it in the shallow water.

Petty Officer 1st Class Dominic Potter and Petty Officer 3rd Class William Peters were notified and were able to drive a vehicle from Station Saginaw River to the area where the bird was located. By this time, the eagle had drifted to the water's edge.

Potter and Peters put a wool blanket on the eagle and then loaded it into the vehicle before transporting it to the Michigan DNR Bay City Operations Service Center to waiting wildlife experts.

Also at the center waiting was Bruce Beatty, a federally-licensed birds of prey rehabilitator, who took custody of the bald eagle. (The Coast Guard rescue crew decided to name the eagle America in honor of the country it represents.)

“Everyone, from the good Sam who notified us, to the Michigan DNR and the Consumers Power Plant personnel, was so helpful in helping us rescue America,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Andy Burns, the coxswain aboard the boat. “This bird is not just an injured animal, it is our country’s symbol of freedom, and America deserved to be saved.”

Beatty, who has cared for owls, hawks and other birds of prey, has never cared for an eagle, but said he jumped at the chance and is very excited to care for America.

“I took America home, dried him off and placed him in a heated safe enclosure,” said Beatty Friday morning. “This morning, America was very chipper and after about two weeks of rest, we will release him back into the wild.”

Pictured: Petty Officer 1st Class Dominic Potter (left), Bruce Beatty, a federally-licensed birds of prey rehabilitator, and Petty Officer 3rd Class William Peters, hold a juvenile bald eagle at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Center in Bay City, Mich.