In what can be considered a humane act in the highest degree, Steve Oram of Hallsville, Texas, has saved the life of a bald eagle. Both the national bird as well as the national animal of the United States, these birds prefer hunting grounds of large bodies of open water with plenty of old-growth trees for nesting and a copious amount of fish to feed on. On February 10, Oram posted to his Facebook page that he had the shining opportunity to assist a bald eagle in distress at Lake Sam Rayburn, and he did so, happily.
According to Oram’s post, the bird was hooked on a trotline. Considering its preoccupation was most likely the act of getting food, the incident was happenstance that could have occurred regardless, but the chances that Oram would be at the lake at the very same time the bird required his assistance are quite slim. Thankfully he knew what to do, and although there was a bit of a raucous, he managed to cut the bird loose.
Late in the 20th century, the bald eagle was on the brink of local extinction in the contiguous United States. Its populations having since recovered, the species was removed from the American government’s endangered species list in 1995, however still transferred to the threatened species list. Thanks to awareness and conservation efforts, in 2007 this majestic bird was removed from all endangered and threatened wildlife lists in the lower 48 states and their population continues to maintain healthy numbers.
Oram, a 22-year veteran of the Longview Fire Department, is no stranger to humanitarian service and acts, however, his opportunity to assist this magnificent bird was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that clearly made him quite proud and patriotic (as well he should.) The video he posted to his page shows the eagle clearly struggling to break free. Had Oram not attended on the scene when he did, the bird most likely would have exhausted itself in its efforts and eventually succumbed to the water.
