After Rehab, Bald Eagle Rescued On 520 By WSP Trooper Released

SEATTLE, WA - In late January, Washington State Patrol Trooper Ivan Sergeev undertook a special rescue mission.

About midway across the SR 520 bridge between Seattle and Yarrow Point, a young bald eagle was in shock and injured, lying on the pavement. Sergeev scooped up the raptor and took him to the PAWS animal shelter in Lynnwood. The eagle had suffered a broken coracoid, a bone that eagles need to fly.

After almost two months in rehab, that young bald eagle - all healed - was released back into the wild on Thursday by Sergeev and a PAWS vet. Upon release, Washington State Patrol spokesman Rick Johnson reported that the eagle flew off and perched on a tree "to get his bearings."

PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society) is an animal shelter, but also assists in rehabilitating wild animals - everything from black bear cubs to young bald eagles.

Images courtesy Washington State Patrol