Wild Animals

Bald Eagle Rescued, Released Back Into Wild After Freezing In Fairbanks

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A juvenile bald eagle found frozen and unable to fly near Fairbanks International Airport is back soaring in the wild thanks to quick action from a Good Samaritan, local authorities and wildlife experts.

The bird, which was discovered in an unusually cold state, was carefully transported in the backseat of a patrol car to thaw out and dry off. "It’s definitely a bit of an anomaly," said Lauren Cusimano, Communications Manager for Audubon Alaska. "My guess is that because it was a juvenile, perhaps something went wrong, and it got caught up in the snow."

A frozen bald eagle was taken to an Alaskan police station to be fed, warmed up and then released back into the wild. — (Fairbanks Airport Police and Fire Department)

After the eagle was rescued, it was taken to a quiet corner at the police station, where it snacked on salmon and steak to regain its strength.

"The way that they can deal with winter is the same way we deal with winter," Cusimano noted. "They have a built-in down coat. So it really comes down to feathers, and a couple of practices on their part, like behavior on their part."

Together with representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the bird was thoroughly assessed. After a night of thawing out, drying and eating, it was good to go.

Cusimano emphasized the importance of knowing how to handle such situations. "I wouldn't handle an animal if you don't know what you're doing, just like you wouldn't handle someone who you just saw get into a car wreck right in front of your house," she said, urging folks to become familiar with animal rescue and rehabilitation services in their areas.

In the wild, birds like the bald eagle can often weather harsh winters, thanks to their adaptations. However, with worsening weather patterns, Cusimano pointed out that the future could be challenging for bird populations. "Many bird species are in decline. We've lost 3 billion birds since 1970, according to a number of recent studies, and obviously, climate change and intense weather events have a lot to do with that."

Thankfully, this particular story has a happy ending: After recovering overnight, the eagle was released back into the wild. Watch the heartwarming moment here.

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