Bald Eaglet Swallows Fishhook on Livestream, Sparking Urgent Multi-Agency Rescue and Surgery
A two-week-old bald eaglet is recovering after emergency surgery to remove a fishhook it accidentally swallowed during a feeding at a nest near U.S. Steel’s Irvin Plant in Pennsylvania — and the harrowing incident was captured on a livestream camera.
The eaglet, known as USS11, swallowed a fishing hook, line and lure while being fed by a parent. The moment was caught on the U.S. Steel eagle nest livestream, which has drawn a devoted community of viewers who follow the eagle family via webcam.
‘Your Heart Drops’
For those who watch the nest closely, the moment was gut-wrenching.
“Your heart drops, right? They become your babies, and whenever you see your own child get injured, you want to help in any way you can,” said Don German, retired manager at U.S. Steel, told CBS News.
Viewers quickly contacted Tamarack Wildlife Center, which recommended removing the eaglet for “medical evaluation and treatment,” according to a Facebook post from the center.
“It is usually advisable to avoid interfering with nests, but ingestion of the hook and fishing line posed a risk of death to the young eaglet,” the post shared.
A Race Against Time
The rescue required approvals from federal agencies, state agencies and the landowner. Carol Holmgren of Tamarack Wildlife Center marveled at the speed of the response.
“To get all of those permissions in the course of an hour on a weekend was just stunning,” Holmgren said.
With clearance secured, a team from Northwood Tree Care climbed to the nest. The eaglet was extracted at approximately 3:30 p.m. Saturday, the same day as the incident.
German described the delicate operation to bring the small bird safely to the ground.
“We ended up putting it into almost like a tool bag and zippered it up, then got it to the ground, carried it up the embankment, and got it into the vehicle,” German said.
Surgery In West Virginia
USS11 was transported to Morgantown, West Virginia, where avian veterinary specialist Dr. Jesse Fallon of the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia performed surgery less than 12 hours after the eaglet ingested the hook.
X-rays revealed the hook had moved “deep into the digestive tract,” according to Tamarack Wildlife Center’s Facebook post, requiring surgical removal.
The center acknowledged the gravity of the procedure.
“Surgery is risky in a patient this young, but initial indicators are promising,” Tamarack Wildlife Center said, adding that “the most dangerous first hurdle has been cleared.”
The eaglet could potentially return to the nest within about one week, according to Tamarack Wildlife Center. The eaglet is expected to be accepted back by its parents.
U.S. Steel issued a statement expressing concern and gratitude.
“The bald eagles nesting near our Irvin Plant are an important part of U. S. Steel—symbols of pride for our employees and the focus of a growing community of nature lovers that follow the family via webcam,” the company said.
“We’re deeply concerned about the health of USS11 and are grateful to Tamarack Wildlife Center for acting quickly to ensure USS11 received necessary treatment.
“We will share updates on USS11 as we are able.”
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
