Thanks to three Chicago-area residents, a wounded bald eagle is expected to be released back into the wild after a frightening encounter.
Concerned residents Georgene and Pete Beechick reportedly spotted the bald eagle hobbling across their yard Friday night in southwest suburban Homer Glen. They immediately tried to call for help, concerned the eagle would quickly fall prey to the rural area’s ever-prominent coyote population, the Southtown Star reported.
When their calls to local officials, including the Will County Sheriff’s Department, went unanswered the duo reached out to John Basile, also known as the “Wolf Man.”
Basile, who owns Big Run Wolf Ranch in Lockport, quickly responded to the area where he reportedly found the bird hiding along a fence, its white head covered in blood and dirt, which he suspects was the result of being sideswiped by a car.
Basile told the Southtown Star the bird, with an estimated five-foot wingspan, was injured and couldn’t fly, but wouldn’t readily accept his help, instead rolling on its back to defend itself with its talons. So he used a net and a pole with a loop at the end to gently nudge the eagle into a cage.
The eagle was then taken to Countryside Animal Clinic in Streator, Illinois for treatment.
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According to Big Run Wolf Ranch, the caretakers at the clinic said nothing was broken and the bird was placed on antibiotics. It is expected to be released into back into the wild once it is fully healed.
The clinic said Tuesday they still have the eagle at their facility and will continue to care for the bird until it is ready to be released.
