Sanctuary provided support. (Photo courtesy Cedar Falls Public Safety)
On August 22nd, Cedar Falls Fire Rescue responded to a report of an injured eagle on a cell tower along W 27th Street. Video from a drone operated by a citizen showed an osprey dangling upside down by one foot, unable to dislodge a trapped talon from the structure. The osprey was located approximately 195 feet at the top of the tower where the it had created a nesting area. Cedar Falls Fire Rescue notified the tower owner and initially received permission to access the tower. Crews prepared to make the rescue at the cell tower as the owner activated their own crew that services that equipment to respond and requested that Cedar Falls personnel stay on scene to support their operation but let their crew scale the structure.
Company crews responded, climbed the tower, freed the osprey and lowered it safely to the ground where it was handed over to a wildlife rehabilitation specialist.
Cedar Falls Fire Department provided personnel, planning, and equipment to assist with the rescue.
Cedar Falls Public Safety was assisted by Murphy Tower Service and Wildthunder Wildlife & Animal Rehabilitation & Sanctuary.