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It was an ordinary day in January. Alan Rasmussen and his son Eric were messing around in the woods enjoying the outdoors along a wooded trail near their rural North Branch home. It was just the guys and their three dogs along the Sunrise River, until one of the dogs spotted a commotion in a tree.

The Rasmussens thought it was a squirrel or other mammal, but when they got closer they saw it was something special.

It turned out to be an eagle, but it seemed sickly. They approached, and the eagle half-flew, half stumbled away, only getting about 40 feet. While Alan held onto the most excited of the dogs, Eric managed to get hold of this regal bird, and wrestled the injured creature into a backpack. They didn't know at the time that this eagle -- who they have named King -- would make such an impression on their lives.

While still out in the woods a cell phone call to the Rasmussen's veterinarian directed them to contact Wild River State Park staff. They advised calling the Raptor Center. The center is part of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota, in St. Paul.

King was carefully hauled back to the Rasmussen house, and secured in one of the dogs' kennel/carriers. Eventually King was officially checked into the Raptor Center Jan. 12. After a few days, an x-ray located a piece of lead in King's stomach, he was suffering from lead poisoning. Alan was in contact with the center almost daily by now.

King was sedated and the contaminant was flushed out of his system. The Center continued treatment by introducing a compound that binds with lead in the blood allowing the lead to be removed.

Tests late in January showed the bird was cleansed. This story was awaiting the prognosis on King's condition.

"I am happy to say King's on his way back," Alan Rasmussen said in his update to this office. "He is doing well and could be released back into the wild."

Rasmussen is hoping King can be released somewhere near where he and Eric rescued him. The Raptor Center isn't making any promises yet -- the eagle is still recuperating.

Alan says he is so thankful for Eric's fearlessness. In detaining the huge eagle, who was still very capable of inflicting damage with its strong talons and beak, Eric gave his dad pause, but also made him proud. Alan realized he is grateful for his wife Cindy who helped clear the trail where they went walking, and who Alan says does so much to make their home welcoming; even for the oddest houseguests.

Alan believes God sent their family this opportunity and he is also grateful for this. "It won't be long before King is in flight over our home in America, the greatest country in the world," he added.

The Raptor Center is always in need of financial support and if people reading this can send contributions to the center, there is a possibility King will be released in Chisago County.

Go to the website for the Center at cvm.umn.edu/raptor/donate and contribute on-line or call 612-624-7231 or mail donations to Raptor Center 1920 Fitch Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108. King's case number is 08-016 and should be noted along with your donation.

The center cares for about 800 birds annually. It also has 11 raptors (pictures are on the website) that are used in educational programs and you can donate to "adopt" one of these animals. Gifts are accepted and managed by the U of M Foundation a 501 C-3.

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