Noel the Eagle appears to be doing well after being rescued by the Qualicum Beach Volunteer Fire Department over the holidays.
Originally called Elmo, but changed due to the holiday timing, Noel was found by hikers about 20 minutes into the woods near the Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery in very rough shape.
Initially it looked beat up, but the experts later guessed he'd been electrocuted by overhead wires, explained Chief Darryl Kohse, who walked in with his sister, son and a ladder, rather than calling members out on Christmas Day.
Initially it was thought the eagle would have to be euthanized, but someone from Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society near Campbell River came and picked it up. As of Wednesday, Noel was doing well, able to stand, but still struggling with a bone infection, according to MARS. Her prognosis was described as "guarded." A video of the bird on the department's Facebook page has received over 3,000 views and a lot of best wishes from the community.