Apex predators like lions, tigers, killer whales, sharks, bears, and eagles are at the very top of the food chain. These animals are known for being the strongest and fiercest predators in the wild. They are so dangerous that nobody, including humans, would dare come close to any of them.
When a bald eagle got injured, one man put aside his fears and decided to help this powerful predator. Meet Dr. Cliff Redford. He also goes by the name Dr. Cliff Worldwide Vet. According to his website, he owns and operates Wellington Veterinary Hospital, where he is a seasoned vet. Besides running WVH, he is a self-described media personality and animal rights advocate. In this case, he’s also a hero.
A few months back, an injured bald eagle came into Dr. Cliff’s clinic at Wellington Vet Hospital. If you haven’t seen an eagle up close, you’d be fascinated not just by their size but also by their presence alone – they’re majestic. Despite his expertise and experience, Dr. Cliff admitted that it was his first time treating a bird that big. However, he was up for the challenge because he was the bald eagle’s only hope.
Even a mighty bald eagle sometimes falls and needs a human’s help. Dr. Cliff unhesitatingly took the job as an opportunity to save the nation’s national bird. According to him, the bald eagle was accidentally shot by some duck hunters, causing her to fall onto the ground. The impact resulted in the eagle’s wing bone being pushed through its skin. Dr. Cliff was the eagle’s only chance in regaining its power to soar high again. That’s why they wasted no time and started the surgery immediately.
The surgery went smoothly, and it was just a matter of time before she completely recovered. The bald eagle, whom they named “Wolf,” was eventually transported to a rehabilitation facility called Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge in Ontario, Canada. The healing eagle’s journey to full recovery was exactly how Dr. Cliff described it, “fun.” In this case, “fun” means challenging. He also added that the bald eagle was “an Apex predator and she was not interested in being in a cage.”
Apart from healing the wound, muscle and bone therapy were regularly done to Wolf so she’d recover faster. “Test flights” were also performed to make sure that she’d be able to fly without any problems once they set her free.
One day, Dr. Cliff received a call telling him that Wolf was 100% ready to be set free. The completely healed bald eagle was set to be freed at the Niagara River, and everyone was ecstatic to see Wolf spread her wings again. The kind vet who saved her gave her one last look before letting her go, and right when Dr. Cliff was examining her, Wolf gave him a remembrance.
When he went to peek at her, she nipped his finger pretty solidly, but Dr. Cliff immediately exclaimed, “I deserved it!” It was a good sign, though. She was ready to be released. Then, Wolf finally took flight. It was such a magnificent sight to see her giant wings and flying posture. “With a few flaps, she was up in the high blue yonder, soaring around, and there was almost a tear to my eye. It was a pretty magical moment,” said Dr. Cliff, the person who gave Wolf another chance to be mighty and free.
Toledo, United States.
