Bald eagle rescued at NAS Key West

Photo By Danette Baso Silvers | 210319-N-KM072-006 KEY WEST, Fla. (March 19, 2021) Naval Air Station Key West's airfield personnel discovered a bald eagle entangled in wire on a communications tower at Boca Chica Field. Certified tower climbers Ed Donohue, Charlie Coffman and Steve Antone climbed the 45-foot tower to access the bird. Under direction of Thomas Sweets, Executive Director of Key West Wildlife Center, they were able to safely free the federally-protected eagle from the wire. The raptor was transported to the Key West Wildlife Center where it will undergo evaluation for its injuries. Naval Air Station Key West is the state-of-the-art facility for combat fighter aircraft of all military services, provides world-class pierside support to U.S. and foreign naval vessels, and is the premier training center for surface and subsurface military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Danette Baso Silvers)  

KEY WEST, FL, UNITED STATES

03.19.2021

Story by Danette Baso Silvers 

Naval Air Station Key West

KEY WEST, Fla. (March 19, 2021) Naval Air Station Key West's airfield personnel discovered a bald eagle entangled in wire on a communications tower at Boca Chica Field Friday, March 19, 2021.

Certified tower climbers Ed Donohue, Charlie Coffman and Steve Antone climbed the 45-foot tower to access the bird. Under direction of Thomas Sweets, Executive Director of Key West Wildlife Center, they were able to safely free the federally-protected eagle from the wire.

"We don't have any active eagle nests on base right now, but they still will perch on our towers," said NAS Key West's Environmental Director Ed Barham. "We fortunately have the resources and ability to rescue the bird."

The raptor was transported to the Key West Wildlife Center where it will undergo evaluation for its injuries.

"We have a great relationship with the Key West Wildlife Center," said Barham. "I know they will take care of the eagle and provide it with the care it needs."

Boca Chica Field occupies 4,700 acres of which more than 60 percent is undeveloped wetlands, supporting a wide variety of native flora and fauna. Many of these species are federally listed as either threatened or endangered.

• Date Taken: 03.19.2021
• Date Posted: 03.19.2021 16:56
• Story ID: 391887
• Location: KEY WEST, FL, US