Trapped bald eagle on its way to recovery

A bald eagle in good health would never have let Dale Becker, tribal wildlife program manager, pick it up, coddle it and show it off to a handful of spectators at the Department of Natural Resources Monday afternoon.

It was lethargic and unresponsive. It didn't possess the might and majesty one would associate with the national bird.

"A bird in good condition would be trying to rip off my cheek right now," Becker said cradling the bird.

It was found last Sunday in the Elmo area with a steel leghold trap attached to its foot. Judging by the scarring on its toes, Becker estimates that the trap may have been fastened for up to 10 days.

Becker has handled bald eagles in the past and said this bird was unusually light in weight. Its chest bone could be felt through its feathers — both indications that it was starving to death. The trap severely hindered the bird's ability to scavenge, he explained.

"Basically, this guy is pretty worn down," Becker said.

Wildlife Conservation Officer Mike McElderry responded to the call Sunday. He was able to capture the eagle and remove the trap. The bird was treated for lacerations and is now at a wildlife rehab center in Kalispell. It may lose one or two of its toes due to the injury.

Raptors getting caught by traps isn't uncommon, Becker said.

He guesses that the trap was intended to catch a coyote. Trapping coyotes is legal, but traps have to have a name and a license — this trap had neither, he said.

"We recommend if you are going to use a trap to catch a coyote, cover the meat or livestock you're using as bait," he said. He said the eagle probably saw some meat from the sky, swooped down and walked around the carcass, eventually triggering the trap.

"They see something that looks like food, they'll check it out," he said.

Bald eagles are listed as an endangered species and it is a federal offense to hunt or trap the birds.

"A big bird like that tends to be a temptation," he said.

Eventually, the wildlife veterinarian will decide if and when it will be released into the wild. Becker has high hopes for the bird.

He said eagles have amazing recuperative powers.

"They're pretty resilient," he said.