Eagle shocked on Florida power line is rescued by veterinarian, police say

An eagle is recovering after it was shocked on a power line and fell into a canal on Monday.

Officials from Peace River Wildlife Center said they started to received several calls at once about an eagle floundering in a canal.

Residents in the area heard a loud bang, and rushed outside to find the bird struggling in the water. The eagle, the center said, was shocked on a power line and likely landed on the ground and hopped into the water.

The center’s veterinarian and two Punta Gorda police officers were on the scene and rescued the injured bird.

Upon examination back at the center, officials said, they found the eagle had “extensive burn marks over most of his body.”

The center says the vet is working with Florida Power & Light to figure out which pole shocked the bird so it can be repaired.

On Wednesday, veterinarians reported that the eagle’s wounds continue to heal.

“His evaluation today showed no worsening of the tissues that typically happens with full electrical surge through the body,” the update said. “His injuries look better so we’re hopeful he got singed only on the exterior and that’s the best news possible!”

If the eagle continues to make progess, the center said it will take several months for his flight feathers to grow back, at which point he will be released back into the wild.

This story was originally published December 6, 2017 at 5:20 PM with the headline "Eagle shocked on Florida power line is rescued by veterinarian, police say."