Kids Help Save Bald Eagle Injured By Fishing Hook

ODESSA, FL — It's not every day that someone knocks on the door of a fire rescue station. So, when Pasco County Fire Rescue driver engineer Jerry Brown heard a tentative knock on the door of Pasco County Fire Rescue Station 21 around 4 p.m. Thursday, his curiosity was piqued.

When he opened the door, he was surprised to find two children cradling a Florida bald eagle in a towel.

It was obvious that the eagle was exhausted. It didn't even have the strength to struggle in the unfamiliar hands holding it. What was even more evident was the eagle was injured. Its beak was wrapped in fishing line.

On closer examination, firefighters at Station 21 at 10417 Frierson Lake Drive in Hudson saw a fishing hook stuck through its beak and fishing line wrapped around its wing.

The firefighters guessed the bird had been in that condition for about two days. It was underweight and dehydrated because the fishing line was preventing it from opening its beak to eat or drink. Moreover, fishing line was wrapped around one wing, preventing it from flying and evading predators, if necessary.

Fortunately, the firefighters knew just where to go for help. The Owl's Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife in Odessa has rescued countless wild animals like this national bird that had fallen prey to human carelessness. The nonprofit sanctuary routinely rescues, rehabilitates and releases sick, orphaned and injured wildlife including owls, eagles, hawks, herons, cranes and other wild birds; possums, raccoons, squirrels, foxes, otters and armadillos; gopher tortoises, sliders, snappers and box turtles; and snakes and alligators.

Former zookeeper Kris Porter, founder and director of Owl's Nest Wildlife Sanctuary at 18707 Rustic Woods Trail, said her mission to save animals impacted by human encroachment into wildlife habitats through construction work, traffic, assorted litter, domestic pet attacks, poison, even tiny fishing hooks, began in 2015.

"Growing up in Pennsylvania, animals were always a part of my life," Porter said. "My grandfather and father instilled the love for all animals in me as a young girl while my mother, while supporting my enthusiasm, tried to keep me from bringing them all home. I knew then I wanted a career working with animals."

She majored in zoology with an emphasis on marine mammals at the University of Florida and then went to work for SeaWorld in San Diego. She eventually found her way back to Florida, this time as the senior zookeeper in the animal nursery and then lead zoologist at Busch Gardens Tampa.

Although she relished working with 350 species of wildlife at Busch Gardens, 11 years later she was forced to resign when she became pregnant with her daughter, Rachel. It was a high-risk pregnancy and Rachel was born a month premature, weighing only 4 pounds.

"Fourteen years passed," Porter said. During that time, she said she was happy raising her children. "Then I was contacted by a fellow zookeeper who said I was wasting my time and should become a rescue and rehab specialist. I eased back into animal rehab by raising squirrels and rabbits. Within four months, I had my licensure in place, and it progressed very quickly from there."

She soon learned that the more man encroached into wildlife habitats, the greater the need for her services.

"The dangers to Florida wildlife are increasing exponentially," she said. "Many of our keystone species - species that our ecosystem depends on to remain in balance - are already endangered," Porter said.

In addition to working with wildlife veterinarians from Busch Gardens who volunteer their time and staff at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Porter has a team of about 200 volunteers.

"We are everyone," Porter said. "We are electricians, mothers, daughters, sons, fathers, teachers, students, veterinarians, military vets, retirees, accountants, writers, web designers, and just about every other size, type, gender and style of person out there. We are those who have experience and those who are just learning. We are volunteers who pay for our own gas, supplies, nets and other needed things. Most importantly, we are those that care enough to give up our nights, weekends, weekdays and money to save Florida wildlife from harm."

The sanctuary receives 20 to 80 calls a day for services and, over the years, Porter has seen it all. So, she wasn't surprised at the condition of the bald eagle the two children brought to the fire station.

Porter promptly removed the fishing hook and line. Once the eagle is hydrated, fed and stabilized, it will be transported to Busch Gardens for further treatment. She said the vets at Busch Gardens are confident the eagle will fully recover and can be released back into its natural habitat where, hopefully, it will avoid fishing line.

Both the firefighters and Porter commended the youngsters for reacting quickly to save the bird. Porter said she instilled the same love of wildlife in her own children and is glad to see that other parents are doing likewise.

"This is why we do what we do," Porter said. "Even though we are tired from feeding birds, squirrels and other critters all night, we care about our wildlife and want to see it survive for generations to come."

The Owl's Nest Sanctuary always welcomes monetary donations. Click here.

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