Bald eagle rescued by Ottawa Valley woman euthanized after tests reveal severe injury

An injured bald eagle, nicknamed Charlie, was rescued with the help of Jenna McEwan and Safe Wings Ottawa. (Photo courtesy of Safe Wings Ottawa)

A bald eagle rescued by an Ottawa Valley woman and her young son earlier this week was euthanized after exams revealed the bird had suffered an untreatable injury, a local animal rescue organization says.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Safe Wings Ottawa revealed that Charlie the Eagle had been euthanized, having suffered irreparable damage to his femur.

“Faced with an injury that would cause lifelong, unrelenting pain, the heartbreaking decision was made to humanely euthanize him and free him from further suffering,” Safe Wings Ottawa wrote.

The organization says the Eagle was transferred to the National Wildlife Centre, but the bird had too little “stable, healthy bone” to reconstruct his leg.

The organization says amputation was not a possibility, nor was keeping the eagle in captivity.

“Aside from strict permit limitations, keeping Charlie in captivity would not have been humane. Some un-releasable bald eagles thrive as ambassadors or foster parents, but their injuries do not leave them in chronic pain,” Safe Wings Ottawa wrote.

Jenna McEwan rescued the eagle alongside her son after seeing a post about the wounded bird on Facebook.

After rescuing Charlie, McEwan handed the eagle over to Safe Wings Ottawa.

McEwan’s son Jack named the eagle Charlie.

“To everyone who followed Charlie’s journey, offered support, and hoped for his recovery: thank you,” Safe Wings Ottawa wrote.

“To the person who first discovered the eagle and called us for help and to our rescuers, drivers, and partners who gave Charlie every possible chance — we are grateful beyond words.”

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App