Further Up Farms<\/a> in Elizabeth when they spotted the eagle. The bird appeared weak and disoriented. They kept their distance, took photos and monitored its condition.<\/p>\nBy Monday, the bird had barely moved.<\/p>\n
Concerned, Morton contacted Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance, expecting a rescue team would arrive. Instead, he learned something many Coloradans don\u2019t realize: most wildlife rehabilitation centers do not dispatch field rescue crews.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe operate like an animal hospital,\u201d explained Executive Director Emily Davenport. \u201cThe public brings animals to us. We don\u2019t have the funding or staffing to go out on rescue missions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like many wildlife hospitals, the Alliance is a small nonprofit, largely volunteer-supported and resource-limited. On the day Morton called, staff members were short-handed and out of the immediate area.<\/p>\n
But that didn\u2019t mean they couldn\u2019t help.<\/p>\n
Rather than leaving the situation unresolved, Davenport and her team did what they are trained to do \u2014 provide expert instruction.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy team walked these two through the process to save the eagle and not get injured themselves,\u201d Davenport said. \u201cWhen any wild animal is sick or distressed, to contain it is pretty easy to do.”<\/p>\n
The eagle initially moved into a nearby creek, complicating efforts to contain him. From there, the rehabilitators guided Morton and his neighbor, Seth \u2014 a U.S. Army veteran \u2014 step by step. They adapted their approach as the bird shifted between water and land.<\/p>\n
After about 25 minutes, the pair successfully secured the powerful raptor without injury to themselves or the bird.<\/p>\n
\nWatch Allan Morton’s YouTube video of the rescue: <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Once transported to the Alliance\u2019s facility, veterinarians assessed the bird and discovered the likely cause of its weakness: lead poisoning, commonly contracted when eagles consume animals shot with lead ammunition.<\/p>\n
The prognosis is guarded.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, it\u2019s about a 50-50 chance and we’re trying to save his life after the poisoning,” Davenport said. \u201cHe\u2019s not out of the woods.\u201d<\/p>\n
Photos taken in the days following the rescue show the eagle alert but clearly weakened as staff work to stabilize him.<\/p>\n
\nClearing up a common misconception about animal rescue <\/p>\n
Davenport said the bird’s rescue highlights a widespread misunderstanding about wildlife rehabilitation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a misconception that wildlife centers automatically come out and perform rescues,\u201d she said. \u201cMost of us simply don\u2019t have the resources. We rely on the public.\u201d<\/p>\n
Facilities like Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance function much like emergency animal hospitals. They maintain specialized containment procedures, medical equipment and rehabilitation spaces \u2014 but depend on citizens to transport animals to their care.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cool thing about our organization is that we can give them the instruction,” said Davenport. \u201cWe give them the information and resources they need to help safely. We walked them through the directions; it was the only option.\u201d<\/p>\n
And it worked.<\/p>\n
For Morton, the experience was unforgettable. \u201cAt one point, my finger was within his talons,\u201d he wrote in a social media post. \u201cI was amazed by the strength he exhibited. What a magnificent bird.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also shared two takeaways: that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things \u2014 and that hunters should consider switching to lead-free ammunition.<\/p>\n
Lead poisoning remains one of the most common threats to bald eagles and other raptors across the country. Davenport hoped the story inspires both awareness and understanding.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey did an excellent job by themselves, and our team gave them expert direction, and they saved the life of this bald eagle,\u201d she said. \u201cWe can\u2019t do this alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the eagle continues treatment, staff remain cautiously hopeful. With intensive care and time, they aim to release him back into the wild where he belongs.<\/p>\n
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