One theory is that the eaglet was practising flight \u201cand kind of glided down and wasn\u2019t able to get back up.\u201d<\/p>\n
City of Victoria parks workers restored a baby eagle to its nest in Beacon Hill Park last week after it somehow ended up on the ground \u2014 the same nest where they performed a similar rescue just over a year ago.<\/p>\n
In both cases, the eaglets were checked over by \u00adMetchosin-based WildARC \u2014 the B.C. SPCA\u2019s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre \u2014 and deemed healthy enough to be restored to their perch.<\/p>\n
WildARC manager Ashley Currie said the most recent eaglet rescued spent three days at the centre after being brought there by a member of the parks staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was healthy and it was \u00adeating well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She said that eagles\u2019 nests are typically high in trees and very large, sometimes weighing hundreds of pounds, and typically used for many years.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hard to know just how the recently rescued eaglet got onto the ground from its lofty home, Currie said. One theory is that it was practising flight \u201cand kind of glided down and wasn\u2019t able to get back up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Currie said the latest baby eagle is an older fledgling than last year\u2019s, so it\u2019s getting close to having the strength and \u00adendurance to be able to fully fly.<\/p>\n
And just like last year\u2019s \u00adwayward eaglet, it was returned to the nest by a parks worker who was lifted up by a bucket truck.<\/p>\n
Currie said it happened to be the same worker assisted by the same WildARC staffer taking care of this particular eaglet homecoming.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a much easier process this time around because they had already done it.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said direct handling of the bird was kept to a minimum to limit human scent, so as not to affect its parents\u2019 reaction to it.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s unknown how many other eaglets were in the nest, since staff don\u2019t go close enough to the nest to find out.<\/p>\n
The city thanked everyone who contributed to the latest rescue, including parks staff, the B.C. SPCA and WildARC teams.<\/p>\n
Currie and the city both said that anyone who finds fallen nestlings or injured wildlife should call the B.C. SPCA \u00ad Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would love that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The eaglet\u2019s parents are \u00adfeatured in an entry in \u00adWildARC\u2019s ongoing Wildlife-in-Focus photography contest, where they are seen at the top of Beacon Hill Park\u2019s signature totem pole.<\/p>\n
The 2026 version of the annual fundraiser continues through July 23. Enter at spca.bc.ca\/news-events\/enewsletters\/wildlife-in-focus-contest<\/a>.<\/p>\n