ANAHUAC, Texas – A rescued bald eagle is back in the skies over Chambers County after months of rehabilitation at the Houston SPCA’s Wildlife Center — a release that comes as the country prepares to mark America’s 250th birthday next month.
The eagle was found March 20 near the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge in Anahuac, unable to fend for himself. Wildlife specialists believed he had suffered a traumatic head injury, possibly after being hit by a vehicle. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service game warden transported the bird to Houston for treatment.
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Over the next three months, Houston SPCA staff provided intensive care, including anti-inflammatory medication, strict rest to allow healing, frequent exams and physical therapy. As the bird regained strength, he was moved into an outdoor flight complex to rebuild endurance and the powerful muscles needed to survive in the wild.
“Releasing a bald eagle is always a special moment,” said Brooke Yahney, director of the Houston SPCA Wildlife Center, noting the milestone reflects months of daily monitoring and hands-on rehabilitation by veterinary and wildlife teams.
Once endangered in the United States, bald eagles have rebounded through conservation and public support — a comeback story that mirrors the resilience often celebrated in the nation’s history. Houston SPCA leaders said the bird’s return to the wild is a reminder of what’s possible with community commitment and sustained care.
The Houston SPCA’s Wildlife Center treats more than 17,000 injured, orphaned and ill native wild animals each year, with the goal of returning healthy animals to their natural habitats.