A bald eagle in North Carolina is recovering after a dangerous run-in with discarded fishing line, thanks to a careful rescue by wildlife officers who went the extra mile to save her. The bird was found exhausted and tangled in the Haw River, where she had been struggling in the water before help arrived.
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission officers navigated by boat to reach the eagle and bring her safely ashore. Once rescued, she was transported to a local wildlife rehabilitator, where she is now receiving care and is expected to return to the wild within one to two weeks.
The rescue also shines a light on a bigger problem lurking in waterways and along shorelines: discarded fishing line is a serious threat to wildlife. NOAA says lost or abandoned fishing gear can entangle marine life such as whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sea turtles, and the agency notes that entanglement causes the deaths of hundreds of thousands of marine mammals, sea turtles, and fish worldwide each year.
For now, the good news is that this particular eagle has a chance to heal, regain her strength, and soar again. It’s the kind of outcome animal lovers love to see: a brave rescue by a dedicated team of responders, and a majestic bird getting the care needed to return to the wild.
