BOW, WA – Officers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police responded to a report of an injured bald eagle found hanging upside down from a tree in the Bow area earlier this week.

According to the agency, Fish and Wildlife Officer Ludwig and Sgt. Valentine located the eagle suspended from the tree with an apparent leg injury. With assistance from the Burlington Fire Department, Officer Ludwig used a fire department ladder truck to safely reach the bird.

Officer Ludwig wrapped the eagle in his patrol jacket and carefully brought it down from the tree. Sgt. Valentine then transported the eagle to Whatcom County’s Wildlife Center for evaluation and treatment.

Officials said the eagle’s condition will be assessed by wildlife rehabilitation staff, and the goal is for the bird to recover and be released back into the wild.