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Last month, a rock climber named Kelston was scaling the natural walls of Susquehanna Riverlands State Park in Pennsylvania when he eyed something strange — a pair of wings awkwardly poking out from under a boulder. Anxious to help the eagle trapped underneath, Kelston immediately contacted Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), who sent staff members to the base of the trail. DCNR rescuers knew they’d need a bird expert to ensure everything went smoothly, so they called Maryann, a capture transport wildlife volunteer, for backup.
Surveying the feathers, Maryann realized the truth — there were two eagles, not just one.
At first, Maryann feared the worst for the second bird. She called Tracie Young, a wildlife rehabilitator with Raven Ridge Wildlife Center, for extra help. As the sun began to set, Young and a colleague hurried up the trail, rescue gear in hand. When she arrived, Young was shocked.
“I was like, ‘I can’t believe this,’” Young told The Dodo. “The way they were crammed with the rocks and stuff … I’m like, ‘Dear God, these wings are broken.’”
Working together, rescuers removed the heavy boulders and carefully secured both eagles in crates. They swiftly brought the birds to Raven Ridge for further assessment.
Rehabilitators treated the birds’ wounds and tested them for lead poisoning. With continued therapy and care, the eagles recovered. They became increasingly spicy and aggressive, signaling that they were preparing to return to their home outdoors.
The eagles were ready for release by Veterans Day, making the moment especially emotional for all involved. As each bird returned to the sky, onlookers reveled in their majesty, overwhelmed by the beauty of the natural world.
“By caring for both eagles, we were able to reunite them for their release,” Raven Ridge wrote in a Facebook post. “We believe they are a mated pair, and releasing them together not only honors their bond but embodies the spirit of resilience and hope that Veterans Day represents.”
By Maeve Dunigan
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