Home » DC METRO commutes interrupted for Bald Eagle rescue on Wednesday NEWSWIRE

DC METRO commutes interrupted for Bald Eagle rescue on Wednesday NEWSWIRE

By Chris Anderson | March 14, 2019

| Last updated on November 3, 2020


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WMATA workers rescue injured Bald Eagle.
WMATA via Twitter
WASHINGTON — The rapid transit line in the nation’s capital was brought to a stand-still thanks to an unconventional, yet patriotic, rescue mission.

Crews rescued an injured Bald Eagle found lying along the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority rail line Wednesday afternoon. According to Metro’s Twitter account, the eagle was found near Morgan Boulevard, and train traffic was shifted in order to coordinate the rescue operation.

“We are currently single tracking on the Blue/Silver lines as appropriate animal resources respond to an apparently injured bald eagle on the tracks near Morgan Boulevard,” the railroad tweeted.

Both Blue Line and Silver Line trains were affected. According to Metro, Silver Line trains were rerouted to New Carrollton, Md., rather than Largo, Md., while wildlife personnel were en route. When animal control personnel arrived, they were taken by train to the area where the eagle lay injured.

The rescue team of eight people recovered the eagle just before 4 p.m. Wednesday, and it was turned over to City Wildlife in Washington, D.C. By 4:05 p.m., train traffic was being restored on all tracks and in both directions.

Metro also offered credits to qualifying riders affected by the delays caused by the eagle rescue.

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