Photo: WBZ NewsRadio \ Kim Tunnicliffe
CAPE COD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — On Monday, wildlife volunteers found a bald eagle in distress. Now they are working to save her life.
An 8-year-old eagle named M.K. is being treated at the New England Wildlife Center in Barnstable under 24-hour care. The bald eagle was captured from a cemetery in Arlington after showing signs of possible rodenticide poisoning.
Cape Ann Wildlife volunteers said the next few days are critical for M.K.'s chances of survival.
Volunteer Linda Amato helped capture the bald eagle on Monday. She said she suspected the eagle was poisoned when she saw the eagle on the ground appearing weak and unable to get back into her tree.
"They become lethargic, they're heads start to droop, they're showing a lot of weaknesses, they're on the ground," Amato said.
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Photo: WBZ NewsRadio \ Kim Tunnicliffe
Rescuers said M.K.'s lifetime partner, an eagle named K.Z., was nearby at the cemetery when they captured M.K. He watched as volunteers put her in the car to take her to the veterinarian.
"All of a sudden her mate flew by right past us," Amato said. "He was looking for her."
Eagles are known to mate for life. M.K. and K.Z. had two eaglets together that ultimately died within three weeks of leaving the nest.
If M.K. is able to recover she will be released back to the cemetery where she was found.
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