A bald eagle in Missouri was captured by officials from the Missouri Department of Conservation near Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. Initially believed to be injured, an X-ray at the Dickerson Park Zoo revealed that the eagle was actually just too fat to fly. The bird had overindulged on a raccoon, which officials suspect was roadkill, causing it to be unable to take flight.
The bird, after being deemed healthy but overweight, was released back into the wild in accordance with state and federal laws. The unusual incident was revealed in a Facebook post by park officials on August 21st, along with x-rays showing the raccoon paw inside the eagle’s stomach.
Fernando Cervantes Jr., a trending news reporter for USA TODAY, reported on the bizarre case. The eagle’s story highlights the importance of wildlife conservation efforts and the impact of human activities on animals in the wild. It serves as a reminder for the public to be mindful of their actions and the consequences they can have on the environment and the creatures that inhabit it.
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Photo credit www.desmoinesregister.com