Jasper County sheriff’s deputies rescue bald eagle

An injured bald eagle found Sunday evening by deputies of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office is healing well and is expected to survive.

Deputies Kira Lazenby and Josh Borg responded to a call of an injured bald eagle in the 9000 block of Highway F-17 W in Jasper County. The caller said the eagle appeared to be injured to the point it could not fly.

Using a bit of ingenuity, Lazenby and Borg — with assistance from deputies Nick Aldrich and Landon Moss — were able to safely secure the not-so-happy eagle, who had come to be known by officers as “Jade.”

Saving Our Avian Resources (SOAR) Iowa was contacted to remove Jade from the scene and treat its injuries. In a Aug. 17 press release, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Jade is doing well.

The bald eagle suffered “serious road rash and bruises” but is expected to live.

Kay Neumann, executive director of SOAR, said the adult female bald eagle has no bone fractures that she can identify by touch but she does have abrasions on her chest and both wrists. Gravel was also embedded in her chest.

All of Jade’s wounds were gently washed, cleaned of gravel and applied with antibiotic cream. On another positive note, Jade — who weighs 10.5 pounds — does not have any lead issues. She’s also standing, eating and drinking.

Established in 1999, SOAR is a nonprofit dedicated to saving birds through raptor rehabilitation, education and research. The organization maintains all the necessary permits to provide such rehabilitation.

SOAR’s website indicates the organization is familiar with admitting bald eagles into its rehab program and subsequently releasing them into the wild when they are fully healed.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recommends citizens call a local conservation officer, biologist or the DNR Wildlife Diversity program if they should ever find a dead or injured eagle.

Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty told Newton News that bald eagle rescues are not a common practice amongst his deputies.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com