One month after he was found unable to fly beside a Kentucky road, a young bald eagle named Trooper opened his wings and flew back into the wild.
Trooper’s rescue began on June 30, when Trooper Trey Lovins of Kentucky State Police answered a call about a distressed young bald eagle near Collins Lane in Corbin. Lovins found Trooper and safely captured him. With Trooper in his care, Lovins now needed to get the young eagle to people who knew how to help.
Lovins drove Trooper to the Liberty Nature Center in Somerset, home of the Lake Cumberland Wildlife Refuge. The team specializes in caring for raptors and other birds of prey, and they gave the young eagle a month of care and rehabilitation. Trooper was named by the refuge in honor of Lovins’ role in his rescue.
Officials did not say what had left Trooper unable to fly in the previous month but on July 31, Trooper was ready for release. KSP troopers joined refuge staff and volunteers at Laurel Lake near Holly Bay Beach. Everyone who had helped Trooper recover had come together to watch his return to the wild. Trooper spread his wings and took to the sky above the lake.
Trooper Flies Back Into the Wild (Photo Credit: Kentucky State Police)
Lady Freethinker celebrates Trooper’s return and thanks Trooper Lovins, the Lake Cumberland Wildlife Refuge staff, Kentucky State Police, and every volunteer who helped turn one roadside call into a fresh start in the wild.
If Trooper’s flight left you smiling, read about another bald eagle rescue from tangled fishing line in North Carolina.
