Bald eagle whose tumble into a Florida storm drain was called an 'apt metaphor' for the country dies
Authorities in Florida on Thursday rescued a bald eagle that somehow became stuck in a storm drain.
(Orange County Fire Rescue)
Laura Bult
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Tuesday, November 15, 2016, 1:08 PM
The Florida bald eagle whose collapse into a storm drain last week was called a symbol for our election-torn country has died of its injuries.
The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, who cared for the ailing bird, announced the death on Tuesday.
“Our team, along with Dr. Robert Hess and the staff at the Winter Park Veterinary Hospital made every attempt to save this beautiful bird,” director Katie Warner said in
a statement posted to Facebook.
Photos and video of the rescue attempt
inspired social media users to call the symbolic bird an “apt metaphor” for the state of the country in the wake of the election.
Eagle gets stuck in Florida storm drain, called an 'apt metaphor'
The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey said the deceased eagle, a female, had been pinned down to the storm drain while in a territorial fight with another eagle.
When the other eagle flew away, the female bird plunged into the storm drain.
Officials were eventually able to pluck the injured eagle from the drain but it suffered from a cracked beak and a chest and leg injury.
The animal took a turn for the worse on Monday due to its puncture wounds which caused fluid to accumulate around its heart and lungs. The eagle was also treated for possible organ failure, according to
WFTV 9.
The bird was moved to Winter Park Veterinary Hospital before it died, the station reported.
The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey said they hope the national focus on the injured bird will garner more attention for their everyday rehabilitation efforts.
“We’re going to continue education the community on why we must conserve Florida’s environment to help prevent future loss of our nation’s symbol of freedom,” Warner wrote on Facebook.
