Resident helps rescue wounded eagle

SANDPOINT — Bonner County is known throughout the country for its natural beauty and close proximity to wild and often exotic animals.

Sandpoint’s Michelle Kensbock is doing her best to keep those animals out of harm’s way.

A technician at the North Idaho Animal Hospital, Kensbock put her knowledge of wildlife to good use recently by rescuing wounded birds on two separate occasions.

Before moving to Sandpoint five years ago, Kensbock taught a raptor program at the Orange County Bird of Prey Center in Lake Forest, Calif. Because of her background, she is often one of the first to be called when an injured bird is reported in the area.

Her most recent rescue took place last Sunday when the animal hospital received a call about a wounded bald eagle in the Boyer Slough and Whiskey Jack area. The bird had apparently caught its wing on a wire or branch and was unable to fly.

When she arrived, Kensbock saw the wounded, scared bird and made her move, scooping the eagle up by its talons and wrapping it in a towel.

Even as a professional, Kensbock said she gets nervous around wounded animals because the stress of the situation can cause them to lash out when approached.

“I wouldn’t recommend (approaching wounded birds) to someone who hasn’t done it before. They have a lot of bacteria in their talons that could be dangerous if they got a hold of you,” she said.

The bird was taken to the animal hospital and diagnosed with soft tissue damage to its wing. Now in a wildlife recovery center for rehabilitation, the eagle will most likely make a full recovery and be reintroduced to the wild, Kensbock said.

“It’s really rewarding to help. A lot of people look up to these animals as part of the environment here, so it’s really rewarding to be a participant in that,” Kensbock said.