Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre tries to rescue young eagle

Staff at the Cobequid Wildlife RehabilitationCentre performed surgery on a young bald eagle this week after someone shot it.

The eagle was found near Middle River in Cape Breton, not far fromBaddeck. It was likely shot in that areaby someone with a shotgun.

The Department of Natural Resources contacted the centre and volunteers drove the bird to the facility in Brookfield, ColchesterCounty.

Volunteers checked over the animal and found 10objects in the bird, each about threemillimetresin diameter.

It's likely the objects were pellets from a shotgun shell.

Helene VanDoninck, the veterinarian at the centre, removed the pellets.

MurdoMesser co-founded the centre with Van Doninck. Messer says they rarely treat an eagle that's been shot. In fact, it's illegal to shoot an eagle.

The eagle suffered a displaced ulna in its left wing. The bone fused into a new position and that could cause problems when it tries to fly.

The bird seemed in good health when it came to.

"It is eating well and is quite feisty towards us, which is a good sign. At the moment it is very emaciated," Messertold CBC News.

"It will take a few weeks to regain its flight muscles, only then will we know. The broken wing has a good range of motion and we are hopeful that bird can compensate."

The rehab centre is a non-profit charity run by volunteers and funded by donations.