The Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center released a female bald eagle on July 18 after it had recovered from injuries inflicted by a leg trap that staff believes it had been struggling with for days. The eagle was found at False Bay on Mother’s Day. It was in meager condition with dirty, broken tail feathers, as well as being under weight.

Rehab staff were able to catch the eagle by throwing a blanket over it. Staff realized soon after catching it that its middle toe on its left foot had been smashed, and the tissue around the injury was dead. The eagle was then brought to veterinarian Dr. Susan Besel in Friday harbor. Dr. Besel removed the damaged toe and skin before the bird was returned to Wolf Hollow to recover.

Once arriving she was moved to an outdoor enclosure where she could learn to how to balance on a perch once again, as well as catching, grabbing and holding prey short one talon.

The eagle was brought to the south end of the island on Kanaka Bay road for release. It left its carrier confidently before landing on the ground 50 yards from the carrier, where she looked around, and scoped out the crowd before flying away over the tree line.

Staff Rehabilitation Vicki Taylor said the release went well and that this release brings them down to two eagles in their care this year and this is the third release this year.

While Wolf Hollow cares for large birds of prey like this Taylor made it clear that they have many other animals in their care that you wouldn’t imagine.

“People will call about a tiny little song bird, and ask, ‘Will you even treat this,'” Taylor said. “Absolutely, we treat all animals.”