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Seminole Residents' Pleas Get Injured Eagle Help

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON

sthompson@tampatrib.com

Published: January 27, 2009

As a volunteer with the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, Liz Vreeland has rescued songbirds and hawks. She has spent her share of time unraveling fishing line off perplexed pelicans at fishing piers.

Monday, however, was a first for her: She rescued an eagle.

At first, the sanctuary didn't think anything was amiss with the eagle in Seminole. A volunteer rescuer went to the neighborhood where the bird was sighted, at 84th Avenue and 113th Street, but when it was able to fly from a tree to a rooftop, the rescuer thought all was well, Vreeland said.

People continued relaying their concerns to the sanctuary, however, and Vreeland went out. The eagle by then was on a chimney. She threw the bird a dead rat, and the eagle grabbed it, an apparent sign of hunger.
Vreeland then climbed a ladder, her long-poled net in hand, but when she got to the top and peeked at the eagle, the bird flew to a nearby tree.

Eventually, Vreeland enticed the bird by tossing a trail of fish on the ground so the eagle could be led under a carport, she said.

With help from a gathering crowd, the bird was herded into the yard, and Vreeland grabbed the bird with her gloved hands.

As it turns out, the eagle had a wounded left wing. Vreeland gives the residents in the neighborhood credit for repeatedly contacting the sanctuary with their concerns.

The eagle was to be treated at the sanctuary before being sent to Maitland for recuperation.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336.

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