On Memorial Day weekend 2019, motorcyclist Dandon Miller was riding down a highway in Pennsylvania when he came across a shocking sight.
Miller found a badly injured bald eagle lying on the highway.
A few other people had stopped, but nobody was sure how to help the poor bald eagle.
“I looked down to see why everyone was stopping and there was a bald eagle in the middle of the road,” Miller told The Dodo. “Another person was there and they kind of nudged her a little bit to see if she would walk off the road or fly away. She spread her wings open and was not going to go anywhere.”
Miller called 911, and they directed him to the Tri-State Bird Research and Rescue, a bird rehabilitation center. They told Miller they would head right over, but it would take about 45 minutes for them to get to him.
Miller knew he had to get the bald eagle off the highway, but he was afraid she would accidentally claw him with her talons. Luckily, he was wearing his favorite black and red flannel shirt over a t-shirt. He took off the flannel shirt, wrapped the bald eagle in it, and gently picked her up. The bald eagle was calm as Miller held her—she seemed to realize he wanted to help her.
“I was just trying to keep her calm and make sure she knows she’s secure, and I wasn’t going to drop her or anything,” Miller said. “It was just amazing to hold that bird and for her to be calm like that. Just amazing.”
Miller’s favorite shirt now has a few holes in it, but he doesn’t mind. He says was worth it to help the bald eagle.
Forty-five minutes later, rescuer Rebecca Stansell arrived to take the eagle to the Tri-State Bird Research and Rescue center. She thanked Miller profusely for his help.
At the rehab center, Stansell rushed the bald eagle into surgery. Thankfully, her injuries were mostly superficial.
“She had a mild injury to one eye and soft tissue injuries, but no broken bones,” Stansell said. “Her wounds were treated by our wildlife veterinarian while the eagle was under anesthesia. The unexpected can always happen, but we are optimistic that she will make a full recovery.”
On May 29, 2019, Tri-State Bird Research and Rescue shared an update about the bald eagle on their Facebook page. They said she was doing well—she was self-feeding and her wings were healing quickly. They were confident that she was going to be okay!
https://www.facebook.com/tristatebirdrescue/posts/3011765548848457
When Miller saw an injured bald eagle lying on the highway, he quickly acted to help her. Thanks to Miller’s kindness, this eagle in on the road to recovery. What a great way to spend Memorial Day!
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