‘Injured’ bald eagle found in Missouri actually just ‘too fat to fly’

When conservation officials captured this bald eagle in Missouri, they assumed it was dealing with some sort of trauma or illness. However, much to their surprise, the beautiful bird was suffering from something we’ve all dealt with: too big of a lunch!

The Missouri Department of Conservation found the bird along the boundary of Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. After reports first indicated that the eagle was injured, it was actually found to be engorged with a racoon that was likely roadkill.

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The Dickerson Park Zoo provided x-ray images of the eagle, which show the raccoon’s entire paw in the bird’s stomach.

After the eagle had some time to work off its big meal, it was released near the area where it was found in compliance with federal and state laws.