Professional Tree Climber Rescues Eaglet: DC Eagle Cam

WASHINGTON, DC — One of the little gray eaglets residing high atop a tulip poplar tree at the U.S. National Arboretum got into a bit of a fuzzy situation Thursday evening, prompting a professional tree climber to help out, according to the American Eagle Foundation.

The eaglet, currently called DC4, got his right leg lodged in a hole in the stick-rails near the V-shaped split in the trunk of its nest tree, shown in the photo above. The poor little eaglet was unable to free itself after many attempts over a considerable period of time, so the AEF and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with the U.S. National Arboretum, arranged for a professional tree climber/arborist and USFWS eagle expert to rescue the baby.

The eaglet was removed around 8 p.m. from the nest before rain and thunder showers were predicted to take place. The eaglet was taken to a vet at a zoo in Maryland, where a physical checkup and radiograph of the leg confirmed that the eaglet is in acceptable condition, with the exception of an abrasion and swelling on the leg.

Plans are being made to hopefully return the eaglet back to its nest as soon as possible to resume daily life with its sibling and parents, Mr. President and The First Lady.

See Related:

• DC Eagle Cam’s Adorable Baby Eaglets Need Names
• DC Eagle Cam Shows First Eaglet Hatched, 2nd On Its Way
• DC Eagle Cam Shows Second Eaglet Has Hatched

On another note, sweet injured DC4 and his sibling, DC5, will be given proper names soon. These adorable babies have been referred to as DC4 and DC5 since they hatched, and a #NameTheNestlings social media campaign was held between April 12-18 to come up with two creative names. Social media users went on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to post their name suggestions.

The top five name pairs will be chosen through a final voting process that begins April 24. Enter your email address here so you can vote.

Mr. President and The First Lady settled down at the National Arboretum in 2014 and are the first couple to nest in this location since 1947, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They've had three babies so far at this location.

Over the next 12 weeks, the gray, fuzzy eaglets will gradually grow into full-size juvenile eagles with all-brown plumage. They'll begin to develop their eagle skills by feeding themselves and learning to use their wings through "wingersizing," the AEF said.

The two babies will eventually start to explore the edges of their nest and the surrounding branches, and between 12-14 weeks of age they'll take their first flights and make their ways into the world.

Photos: AEF