Mansfield CT Bald Eagle Rescued After Flying Into Power Lines

A dramatic roadside rescue in Mansfield this week highlights both the fragility and resilience of Connecticut’s recovering bald eagle population.

After a mature eagle struck power lines near Ravine Road and Route 32 and crashed to the ground, a quick-thinking mix of Good Samaritans, law enforcement, and wildlife experts turned what could have been a tragic loss into a hopeful story of survival.

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Bald Eagle Rescue Stuns Drivers in Mansfield

Midday traffic on Route 32 screeched to a halt when motorists watched a bald eagle tumble from the sky after colliding with power lines.

This happened in Mansfield, a town already known for its woods and wildlife, but it’s still rare to see our national symbol in such distress.

Witnesses pulled over, stopped oncoming traffic, and hurried to shield the downed bird from further harm.

Someone even used their car as a barrier to protect the eagle, buying precious minutes until help arrived.

State Trooper and Falconer Team Up at Roadside

A Connecticut State Police trooper who lives nearby showed up quickly, helping secure the area and keep both people and the eagle safe.

In a lucky twist, David Stevens, a licensed Connecticut falconer, happened to be in the area and stopped to lend a hand.

The trooper, Stevens, and the bystanders carefully contained the eagle and did their best to keep it calm along the roadside.

Handling any raptor—especially a bald eagle with that beak and those talons—takes experience and caution, and this mix of professionals and citizens probably made all the difference.

From Mansfield to Ashford to Tufts Wildlife Clinic

Once stabilized at the scene, the eagle went straight to emergency care.

The first stop was Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation & Education in Ashford, a respected facility that helps much of northeastern Connecticut and regularly assists towns from Willington to Stafford and beyond.

From there, the bird headed to the Tufts Wildlife Clinic in North Grafton, Massachusetts, which handles tough trauma cases from all over New England.

When the eagle arrived, staff noticed blood coming from its mouth and beak, suggesting possible internal injuries or fractures.

Resting Comfortably and Awaiting X-Rays

According to Horizon Wings founder Mary-Beth Kaeser, the eagle was resting comfortably on Tuesday and was scheduled for X-rays to check the extent of its injuries.

The imaging results will help veterinarians decide what comes next, which might include supportive care, medication, or longer-term rehab.

Connecticut’s Bald Eagle Comeback Story

Scenes like this roadside drama would’ve seemed almost impossible in Connecticut a few decades ago.

Bald eagles nearly disappeared from the state by the late 20th century, driven out by habitat loss and the pesticide DDT, which thinned eggshells and devastated populations nationwide.

Connecticut saw its first modern nesting attempt in 1979, and since then, conservation efforts have sparked a slow but steady rebound.

Bald eagles were once federally listed as endangered and later threatened. They came off the federal Endangered Species List in 2007, but they’re still strictly protected under state and federal law.

Eagles Now Nest Across the State

Today, bald eagle territories exist in every county in Connecticut.

Sightings have become increasingly common along the Connecticut River near Hartford and Middletown, along coastal corridors from New Haven to Norwalk, and on inland reservoirs and rivers near places like Waterbury and Danbury.

In eastern Connecticut, river valleys and lakes near Norwich, Windham, and Manchester offer prime feeding and nesting habitat.

Mansfield’s mix of forest, water, and open spaces fits right into that expanding network of eagle-friendly territory.

What to Do If You See an Injured Eagle in Connecticut

As eagle sightings tick upward, so does the risk of car accidents, power line collisions, and other human-caused injuries. Wildlife experts across Stamford to Putnam ask folks to stick to a few basic steps if they come across an injured eagle or raptor:

Don’t try to handle the bird yourself – Eagles are strong and can injure you.

Stay back and help prevent more harm – If it’s near a road, warn other drivers if you can do so safely, and keep crowds away.

Call for help right away – Reach out to local animal control, Connecticut State Police, DEEP’s 24-hour dispatch, or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator like Horizon Wings.

Give clear details about the location – Mention roads, landmarks, or GPS coordinates so responders can find the spot quickly.

Here is the source article for this story: Bald eagle rescued in Connecticut after flying into power lines in Mansfield

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