(Decatur County, IN) – An anonymous caller contacted 9-1-1 around 12: 30 p.m. on July 4 to report that an American Bald Eagle had been struck on I-74 around the 139-mile-marker.
Indiana State Police Trooper Jason Hankins arrived on scene and found a juvenile Bald Eagle. Trooper Hankins remained on scene to keep the American icon safe, while trying to get assistance from other agencies and organizations.
The Decatur County Communication Center was contacted for assistance, and sheriff’s deputies deputies Robert Goodfellow, Patrick Richards and friend of the sheriff’s office Wayne Sprinkle began coordination to get the Bald Eagle safely off the interstate and to a local rehab facility.
The Decatur County Animal Shelter provided a plastic dog crate to transport the Eagle, and blankets were borrowed from Decatur County Detention Facility as part of the rescue.
The juvenile Bald Eagle, now named Pete, was secured in a crate and was placed in the back of a Decatur County patrol truck. He was then taken to the Indiana Raptor Center in Nashville.
“What a memory this will make, two combat veterans (Army/Marine) save an American icon, on one of the most important days in American history,” Sprinkle said while driving to the raptor center.
Two staff members at the Indiana Raptor Center confirmed that Pete was a male, juvenile American Bald Eagle.
They explained the process of getting Pete evaluated and promised to keep the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office updated on Pete’s process.
The wildlife sanctuary staff members plan to post Pete’s progress on their Facebook page after he has been seen by a veterinarian on Saturday.
If you wish to donate to Pete’s care, please contact the Indiana Raptor Center, or visit indianaraptorcenter.org.
