Bald eagle rescued in Cave City; rehabbing to return to wild

CAVE CITY, Ky. – A symbol of American freedom grows stronger every day at the Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary in Guston, Kentucky… a stark contrast to about a week ago when this bald eagle was discovered lying helpless and injured.

Cave City resident Quitten Pedigo was walking his dogs last Sunday evening when he stumbled upon the unmoving bird.

“I’ve seen buzzards circling in the sky. I wondered what was dead,” recalled Pedigo. “I thought it was a chicken. I just saw that white head in the field. So, I get closer and closer to it. I was like, ‘Man that looks like a bald eagle.’ And I walked up on it and it really was a bald eagle.”

Pedigo immediately called the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife game warden.

“It was a windy day, and the bird was just sitting there,” said Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officer Brad Bowles. “They’re so beautiful and majestic. So, to get a call of one injured like this, of course, I’m always wondering, ‘Well, when I get there, am I even be able to help this thing?’”

Bowles helped bundle the eagle into a sheet, keeping it in a box until they could transfer it to rehab. 

The nonprofit sanctuary says the bird shows no signs of diseases or permanent injuries. 

Currently, the eagle is rebuilding strength in their bird cage. 

December 30th, the Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary will release the apex predator back into the wild where he was found.