Bryan Esbaugh and his 15-year-old son, Wyatt, were fishing for smallmouth bass on Ponhook Lake in Queens County, N.S., when they unintentionally hooked a bald eagle. Wyatt, who used to feed bass to birds while fishing with friends, noticed the eagle following them around the lake. The eagle trailed them along the shore, scanning the water for breakfast. In a surprising turn of events, the eagle swooped down, snatching their fishing lines and lures before flying off.
The eagle became entangled in the lines, causing it to crash into the lake. Bryan recounted the scene, describing how the eagle struggled and flapped around. They quickly approached the distressed bird in their boat and discovered it was caught by a hook in its beak and foot. With caution due to the eagle’s sharp claws and weight, they managed to pull it onboard.
Upon reaching the dock, the eagle accidentally fell back into the water and began drifting away. Wyatt skillfully guided the boat to shore, where they carefully wrapped the bird in a towel to restrain it. Together, they removed the hooks from the eagle.
Jessica Rock, a veterinarian at the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, commended the duo for their efforts, noting that while they handled the situation well, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance in such cases. Rock emphasized the importance of contacting the Department of Natural Resources for future entanglements involving wildlife, as even majestic creatures like bald eagles require delicate handling.
Fortunately, the eagle eventually regained its freedom. Bryan humorously dubbed the bird the “Canadian White-Headed Lake Raptor,” as a playful jab at recent renaming attempts. In the end, their actions helped ensure the bald eagle’s safe release back into the wild.