Rescuing an American symbol

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July 30, 2009

By ANDY GOODELL

OSKALOOSA — What is there to do when you see America’s national symbol in distress?

Wayne and Karol Little of rural Mahaska County found themselves faced with this question July 15 while observing flood damage near their home. The couple discovered what turned out to be two adolescent Bald Eagles trapped inside a cement cistern near the Des Moines River.

“It just surprised me because I thought I heard something coming from there and thought it might be a turkey,” said Wayne of discovering the two eagles. “But, there were eagles in there. It looked like they could fly and they were practically full grown.”

Although it appeared the Bald Eagles could fly, there was no way for them to fly out from inside the confines of the cistern. Wayne added, these eagles were sizable birds though he would later find out they were thin for their age and possibly starving at the time.

“They must have weighed nine or 10 pounds each,” he said. “They looked strong and had big talons on them.”

Adolescent Bald Eagles typically take their first few flights in July. Wayne said the eagles’ inexperience at flying may have been what landed them in the cistern.

“They might have lit on this thing and lost their balance and fell in,” Wayne speculated. “They might have jumped in.”

Wayne and Karol quickly contacted Mahaska County Sheriff Paul DeGeest, who directed them to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Before sundown, a DNR officer was able to show up at the scene to extract the eagles from the cistern. Upon doing so, the officer decided the eagles were in need of rehabilitation care before being set free in the wild.

“One had broken talons and blood on his wings,” remarked Wayne.

The Littles said they’re happy to have had a part in rescuing two birds that are a symbol of American pride. The only thing they have left to wonder about is why they happened to be in the right place at the right time to save them.

“I don’t know why we stopped at that particular place at that particular time,” said Karol. “The spirit of the eagle had just come to us.”

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Herald City Editor Andy Goodell can be reached at news2@oskyherald.com

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Reg Randau speaks at a candidate forum at Smokey Row back in May. At the time, he was running as a Republican for a seat on the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors. Now he’s running as an Independent.