On June 6, a private citizen found an adult Bald Eagle in the middle of a creek in New Church, Virginia. The eagle was waterlogged and appeared weak, and did not make much of an attempt to get away when approached. The citizen contained the eagle and brought it to permitted wildlife rehabilitator Jodie Sokel, who transferred the bird to the Wildlife Center later that night.
On admission, the eagle was quiet and weak. Center veterinary intern Dr. Emily examined the bird but did not find any injuries, and other than being mildly dehydrated the eagle's blood work and radiographs were both normal. The exact cause of the eagle's quiet mentation is unknown. After the exam, Dr. Emily administered fluids and kept the eagle inside the hospital for rest and close monitoring.
By June 9, the eagle was stable enough to move outdoors to the Center's A3 pen, though it is remaining inside a crate until it clears a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) quarantine period. The veterinary team placed bumpers on the eagle's wings and a tail guard on its tail to prevent damage while it remains crated.
So far, the eagle is eating well and has not developed any health issues, though its prognosis remains guarded.