Bald eagle chicks rescued from sinking nest in Missouri river
After careful evaluations and X-rays, it was determined that the eaglets were not hurt during the ordeal. The eaglets will stay in the care of the World Bird Sanctuary until they're ready to fledge.
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BONNE TERRE, Mo. – Two bald eagle chicks were saved from a river in Missouri ahead of storms this week.
A resident in Bonne Terre, Missouri, was preparing his property for incoming storms when he noticed that a bald eagle nest had fallen into the river near his property.
He found that two eaglets were still in the nest, which was sinking into the river.
Photo shows the nest sinking into the river.
(World Bird Sanctuary / FOX Weather)
The resident called the World Bird Sanctuary to rescue the two chicks, and they sprang into action.
The sanctuary's rehabilitation team borrowed a canoe from the resident and went to work.
Once they reached the eaglets, there was water up to their bellies, the sanctuary said.
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Photo of the eaglets in their sinking nest.
(World Bird Sanctuary / FOX Weather)
The eaglets' nest was breaking up around them as the rehabilitation team tried to secure the birds and remove them from the river.
The sanctuary said one of the eaglets "took a brief swim" while trying to evade its rescuers.
In the end, both chicks were saved from the water and transported to the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park.
After careful evaluations and X-rays, it was determined that the eaglets were not hurt during the ordeal.
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![The two bald eagle chicks in the canoe after being rescued.]()
Image 1 of 4The two bald eagle chicks in the canoe after being rescued. (World Bird Sanctuary)
![The caps covering their eyes are falconry hoods, which help reduce stress levels for birds of prey.]()
Image 2 of 4The two baby bald eagles on the shore after their rescue. The caps covering their eyes are falconry hoods, which help reduce stress levels for birds of prey. (World Bird Sanctuary)
![World Bird Sanctuary staff evaluates one of the eaglets after its rescue.]()
Image 3 of 4World Bird Sanctuary staff evaluate one of the eaglets after its rescue. (World Bird Sanctuary)
![One of the eaglets being evaluated by World Bird Sanctuary staff after the rescue.]()
Image 4 of 4One of the eaglets being evaluated by World Bird Sanctuary staff after the rescue. (World Bird Sanctuary)
The birds are estimated to be around seven weeks old, the sanctuary said.
The sanctuary commended the Bonne Terre man for calling them, allowing them to use his canoe, and directing them to the area.
"His willingness to help is what saved these two eaglets," the World Bird Sanctuary said in a Facebook post.
It's believed the eaglets would've been fully underwater about an hour later if they hadn't been saved.
"At their current stage of muscle development, it is uncertain if they would have been able to make the swim to shore or would have just ended up drowning," the sanctuary said.
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The eaglets, estimated to be 7 weeks old, held by World Bird Sanctuary staff.
(World Bird Sanctuary / FOX Weather)
Since their nest is now gone, the eaglets will stay in the care of the World Bird Sanctuary until they're ready to fledge.
The World Bird Sanctuary has received 32 babies in addition to the two eaglets so far this year.
The sanctuary asked for the public's help to support the 34 babies so they can eventually be returned to the wild.
To donate to the World Bird Sanctuary, click here.
In March, Murphy, a beloved bald eagle that lived at the World Bird Sanctuary and became famous for fostering a rock a few years ago, died during severe weather.