JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A baby bald eagle has made its return to the wild.
The Naval Air Station Environmental Department and Eagle Audubon worked together to make the rescue happen.
When it comes to flying, sometimes all you need is a little encouragement. On March 4, a baby eagle was found outside a local gym.
“He kept trying to go out to the streets on San Jose Boulevard, which is very busy,” Thomas Morris said. “I kept trying to shoo him back with my own wave.”
Morris came to the rescue. He saw the eagle, made the calls and stuck by its side.
“No broken bones or anything, so that was a good sign,” said Kristen Kosik of the Center for Birds of Prey.
They took care of the baby eagle until they were confident he could fly on his own. After falling out of his own nest, they now hope he can adapt to a new one at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
“The original nest was not in a good location,” Kosik said. “Usually if we choose a foster nest or bird, foster parents are quick to take on an orphan baby.”
A sign of pure patriotism, the 14-week old baby bald eagle recovered, took flight and returned to the wild.
“It was very nice, so strong really,” Morris said. “It’s impressive. They’re a symbol of the nation, the national bird.”