Longmeadow Fire Department helps rescue baby eagles

LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP)—Over the years, more and more eagles have been spotted in western Massachusetts, and earlier this week, some concerned residents spotted two baby eagles in trouble after their nest had fallen out of a tree.

The nest the eagles were in was at the Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge in Longmeadow.
"The nest had fallen out of the tree and was in a swampy area, and it was clear the eagles couldn't get themselves out of that situation. I don't think they were able to fly yet," said Deputy Chief Andrew Markt of the Longmeadow Fire Department.

Neighbors had called a wildlife specialist but were concerned he wouldn't be able to get to the birds, so they asked the Longmeadow Fire Department for help.

"We were able to utilize one of our boats with several of our members to help get that wildlife specialist across the swamp safely," said Andrew Markt.

Renée Rutana witnessed the rescue and also sent 22News the pictures and videos she took.
"Mr. Ricardi disappeared into the woods and he was gone for about 10, 15 minutes deep into the woods, you couldn't see what was going on. One of the firefighters stayed on the rowboat while the other went with him to try and find the eaglets that had fallen from the nest," said Renée Rutana of Chicopee.

The baby eagles were brought to shore and are now being taken care of by Tom Ricardi at the Massachusetts Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center in Conway.

The birds will be rehabilitated, and then when they're ready, they'll be released back into the wild.