The Revelstoke Mounties and a trio of locals will surely be singled out for special consideration by Santa Claus this year after they helped rescue an injured bald eagle that was spotted in the Illecillewaet Greenbelt last Friday, December 16.
Const. Mark Williams and Cpl. Thomas Blakney responded to a call about the eagle which was spotted on the ground near Simpson Street at about 2 pm. Upon arrival, they found locals Dorn Crowe and Terry Duncan attempting to catch the eagle, which appeared to be suffering from a damaged wing.
After a phone a few phone calls and inquiries on how best to assist animal, which has been named Illy the Eagle, Williams and Blakney put a plan into place.
“Illy was quite easily influenced with the pieces of salmon and in a Canadian-like way, a hockey stick was used, not only to strategically place the fish but to hold her in place while retired Parks Canada biologist Michael Morris placed a blanket over her,” sad a statement about this incident.
The very next day, Illy was transported to the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops where she was assessed by medical staff. They diagnosed her with a fractured wing and anaemia. Illy will require a blood transfusion, and hopefully make a full recovery. Once he has made a full recovery Illy will be returned to the Illecillewaet River area.
The Revelstoke RCMP would like to thank all those involved, including the city of Revelstoke Animal Control Enforcement Officers and the medical staff at the BC Wildlife Park and the Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre in Kamloops where Illy and other injured animals are being cared for.
