Two bald eagles who got their talons tangled in power lines in Surrey were freed and flew to safety thanks to the combined efforts of hydro crews, firefighters and animal welfare volunteers.
The Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society shared photos and videos of the raptor rescue Monday, explaining that the birds are typically tending to newly hatched eaglets at this time of year.
Manager Rob Hope told CTV News fights among eagles are common both before and after mating season.
“There is fighting pre-nesting season, which is usually territorial, or mate battles. At this time of year most of them are paired up and have their young or their nest sites,” he explained.
“One of the eagles, we don’t know which one, was defending its territory or itself and they got into this predicament.”
Hope said the organization got the call about the eagles and co-ordinated with BC Hydro to have the power shut off before sending volunteers to attempt the rescue.
The video shows a ladder truck being used to hoist a firefighter and two rescue volunteers up to where the birds were hanging upside down from the utility wires, as municipal animal control staff and a small crowd of onlookers watched from below.
“Oh my gosh,” one man can be heard repeating as the ladder truck brings the rescuers closer to the massive birds of prey.
As one person tries to untwist the wires, another loudly claps twice before the birds take flight, going their separate ways.
The Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society rescues, rehabilitates and releases birds of prey, with between 700 and 1,000 raptors coming through its doors each year.
Its biggest annual fundraiser is coming up at the end of May, where people can make a donation to tour the facility, learn more about the birds and witness a raptor release.
