A young bald eaglet in West Mifflin is recovering after swallowing a fishing hook, and vets say quick action saved its life.
Dr. Jesse Fallon with the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia, in Morgantown, WV, says he first attempted a less invasive method to remove the hook, but surgery became necessary when that failed.
“Unfortunately, we had to go to abdominal surgery and, of course, there is some significant risk with that in any animal, especially a wild animal and especially a neonatal patient like a two-week-old eagle, but we really didn’t have much of a choice there,” said Dr. Fallon.
Fallon says the eaglet is now eating and passing food, and is being treated with fluids, antibiotics, and pain medication.
The next several days are critical, but if recovery continues, the bird could be back in its nest within two weeks.
The eaglet is one of three this season at the U.S. Steel Irving Works plant in West Mifflin.
