INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Animal Care Services helped rescue an injured Bald Eagle this week.
According to an IACS Facebook post, Indianapolis animal control officers were called to assist after receiving reports from a concerned citizen about a large bird that appeared to be in distress. The post did not include details on where the injured Bald Eagle was initially found.
The officer arrived and found a juvenile Bald Eagle that had sustained injuries to its eye and wing.
"The bird was safely contained and transported to a shelter, where a licensed wildlife rehabilitator took over its care," the post read.
Bald eagle populations have historically been impacted by overhunting, habitat loss and pesticide use.
This led to Congress authorizing legislation aimed at protecting the species such as the landmark Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which was passed in 1940.
Thankfully, local Bald Eagle populations have rebounded in recent years, leading the Indiana Natural Resources Commission to remove the birds from its designation as a special of special concern in 2021.
Although the species is no longer endangered today, federal protections are still strictly enforced for the birds of prey.
According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the Hoosier state was home to more than 350 reported nesting territories.