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Bald eagle found near death at landfill recovering

A female bald eagle that was found near death Friday afternoon at a north Island landfill has made a recovery her caregivers are describing as miraculous.
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A female bald eagle has recovered after being found sick from possible poisoning, hypothermic and soaking wet.

A female bald eagle that was found near death Friday afternoon at a north Island landfill has made a recovery her caregivers are describing as miraculous.

The bird was sick from possible poisoning, hypothermic and soaking wet, said Maj Birch, manager of the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society in Courtenay.

“It was lying on its belly with its wings extended — it was wet, cold and shivering,” Birch said Wednesday.

The bird was taken to the MARS facility and put on intravenous fluids and warmed with bean bags, towels and a heat lamp. It slipped out of consciousness and Birch thought it would die.

“Basically, we offered supportive care,” Birch said. “We kept her comfortable, kept her hydrated and waited for her to wake up.”

Forty-five hours later, she did just that. “She opened up her eyes and got up.”

On Wednesday, the bird was outside in the enclosed flight pen “and seems to be recovering fully,” Birch said.

This is the time of year when bald eagles are very hungry and susceptible to poisoning. Birch urged people to be careful with disposing of toxins in the garbage.

The bird will probably be released within a few days. Regulations require her to be let go within 10 kilometres of where she was picked up.

smcculloch@timescolonist.com