Current:Home > ContactOfficials thought this bald eagle was injured. It was actually just 'too fat to fly'. -DataFinance
Officials thought this bald eagle was injured. It was actually just 'too fat to fly'.
View
Date:2025-04-15 21:42:38
A bald eagle in Missouri that was believed to be injured actually had a peculiar reason for why it was unable to fly: it was too fat.
Officials with the Missouri Department of Conservation captured the bird along the boundary of the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield and temporarily took it into captivity, park officials said in an Aug. 21 Facebook post.
However, an X-ray taken at the Dickerson Park Zoo, showed that instead of an injury, the bird was suffering from its own success − it had been eating a little too well.
“The bird, originally reported to be injured, was found to be healthy but engorged with (raccoon) — in other words, too fat to fly,” the park said.
Officials suspect the raccoon was roadkill, according to the post. X-rays from the Facebook post show what appears to be a raccoon paw inside the eagle's stomach.
The eagle has since been released back into the wild near where it was originally found and in compliance with state and federal laws.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
veryGood! (68941)
Related
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- The Telegram app has been a key platform for Hamas. Now it's being restricted there
- Beijing’s crackdown fails to dim Hong Kong’s luster, as talent scheme lures mainland Chinese
- UN forum says people of African descent still face discrimination and attacks, urges reparations
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Hamas releases video of Israeli hostages in Gaza demanding Netanyahu agree to prisoner swap
- Semien’s 5 RBIs, Seager’s home run lead Rangers over Diamondbacks 11-7 for 3-1 World Series lead
- War plunged Israel’s agricultural heartlands into crisis, raising fears for its farming future
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Where do trafficked animals go after they're rescued? This network could be the answer
Ranking
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- As transgender health care draws patients to New Mexico, waitlists grow
- 'They touched my face': Goldie Hawn recalls encounter with aliens while on Apple podcast
- South Korea’s spy agency says North Korea shipped more than a million artillery shells to Russia
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- North Dakota woman arrested for allegedly killing boyfriend with poison; police cite financial motives
- 5 hostages of Hamas are free, offering some hope to families of more than 200 still captive
- How the U.S. gun violence death rate compares with the rest of the world
Recommendation
Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
North Dakota woman arrested for allegedly killing boyfriend with poison; police cite financial motives
Are real estate agent fees a racket?
Francis Lawrence Reveals Hunger Games & Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Casts' Connection
Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
France vows a ‘merciless fight’ against antisemitism after anti-Jewish graffiti is found in Paris
Rangers one win away from first World Series title after monster Game 4 vs. Diamondbacks
Oxford High School 2021 shooting was 'avoidable' if district followed policy, investigation says