Eagle rescued at sea recovering in KZN

A magnificent juvenile crowned eagle was rescued at sea last week and is on the road to recovery.

An eagle bobbing in and out of the water on KZN’s mid-South Coast was found by fishermen, who were on their boat. Realising the bird needed help, they rescued it and took it to Scottburgh Veterinary Clinic.

Dr Jonathan Clark examined the eagle and found it to be in shock; its feathers were soaked through, and it was cold.

“It was not fighting us, which was not a good sign as this is an eagle, after all. It was definitely compromised and dehydrated [from] being in that cold salt water,” he says.

Clark explains that the eagle was most probably out at sea trying to catch something and, being a juvenile, may have overestimated itself.

To get the eagle back into shape, Clark and his team tube-fed the bird and gave it fluids. It was also given anti-inflammatory medication.

The vet then passed the bird onto Crocworld Conservation Centre, where it’s being kept until it’s fully recovered.

“It’s good for the eagle to be at the conservation centre where it can stay outdoors and will be free flighted,” says Clark.

“We did send it off with some supplemental food and nutrition, and Crocworld has also been using the feed they give to their raptors.”

On Monday, Crocworld was contacted for an update on the eagle’s recovery.

Centre manager James Wittstock says the eagle is doing well and looking strong.

“It’s eating regularly and doing everything that it should be doing,” says Wittstock.

“We are looking at mid to late next week to release the bird.”

Clark, who has been working at the veterinary clinic since February, is happy with how far the eagle has come.

He previously helped with other Crocworld cases, including the recovery of a wood owl and a crowned crane. The team has also had many wild birds brought in and works with a monkey rescue centre.

“I love it all, and this is my passion. It feels good to help different animals where I can,” says Clark.