MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - The Memphis Veterinary Specialists in Cordova, TN are happy to report that Abe, the bald eagle, is recovering much faster than expected.
The eagle was brought to the emergency surgery center last Monday after being found along Highway 125 near Silerton in Hardeman County. Doctors believe someone shot the eagle on purpose and left him for dead on the side of the road. He was shot in the wing while flying and broke his femur when he landed.
Doctors who performed the more than four-hour extensive surgery on Abe to repair damage were initially doubtful of his recovery. After several grueling days, Abe is making great strides in his recovery process, standing for the first time yesterday on his own. He still does not have much of an appetite and is being fed through a feeding tube.
Dr. David Hannon, Memphis Veterinary Specialists, says, “He’s starting to put up a fight. He’s starting to get mad at us and not wanting to take his medicine. So, that’s a good sign.”
Abe will be released into the care of the Mid-South Raptor Center at the Agricenter. There he will be rehabilitated over the next four months and will eventually learn how to fly once he heals.
Doctors say hunters can accidentally shoot birds while hunting deer. In fact, Dr. Hannon sees more birds with gun shot wounds during deer season than any other time of the year. However with Abe, Dr. Hannon does not believe his injuries were from an accidental shot.
“To look at a bird that's that majestic and that's our nation’s bird and to intentionally shoot it…It's appalling.”
