02/03/2026
A father eagle. Hit by a truck. Fighting for a second chance.
Just weeks ago, this Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle was feeding his youngster in a nest near Wynyard.
Then, in a moment, everything changed.
After being struck by a truck, he was rescued thanks to the quick actions of members of the public and brought into the care of Raptor Care North West. For the carers who know this local territory, this was not just any eagle. This was a known resident male — part of a breeding pair, with a youngster only days away from fledging.
A powerful, wild bird suddenly grounded.
In pain.
Unable to stand properly.
Entirely reliant on human hands.
At Tasmania Wildlife Hospital, with the extraordinary pro bono support of the Forth Valley Vets team, we took him to surgery. X-rays confirmed a serious upper-mid femoral fracture, and in their own time — donating skill, consumables, equipment and hours after a full day’s work — Dr Jahk, Dr Cam, Dr Reg and Taya operated late into the evening to plate his fracture, monitor him under anaesthetic, take repeat X-rays and provide immediate post-operative care. Dr Elle, Dr Cam and our TWH volunteer team then assisted in his recovery before he returned to Adam at Raptor Care North West for ongoing rehabilitation.
This is the reality of wildlife care.
It is skilled.
It is emotional.
It is exhausting.
And it often takes months and months of rehabilitation before an animal is strong enough to be released back into the wild.
What many people don’t see is that Tasmania Wildlife Hospital provides this care pro bono. We do not receive funding for cases like this. The care happens because of volunteers, and because of the generosity of sponsors like Forth Valley Vets, who continue to back this work with time, facilities, equipment and heart.
And this eagle is not alone.
Right now, we also have two other Wedge-tailed Eagles in care in our facilities — facilities made possible through a generous TasNetworks grant.
Sponsorship, grants, volunteer and community support – it allows us to build something Tasmania desperately needs: the beginning of a centre of excellence for native wildlife care — a place that supports not only injured wildlife, but also the dedicated rescuers, carers and volunteers who carry so much of this burden every single day.
Because this work is bigger than one bird.
It is about building a future where Tasmania’s wildlife has somewhere to go.
Where rescuers are supported.
Where expert care is available.
Where injured animals are given a real chance — not just to survive, but to return to the wild where they belong.
This Wedgie’s story is still unfolding.
And we are hoping, with everything we have, that one day he flies free again.
If you believe Tasmania’s wildlife deserves that chance, please help us keep going.
Follow Tasmania Wildlife Hospital. Share this story. Talk about our work. Support the people and partnerships making this possible. Every share, every connection, every act of support helps us continue building care for Tasmania’s wildlife when they need it most. 🦅
Thank you to Adam and Raptor Care North West, our Forth Valley Vets team, our TWH volunteers, and TasNetworks for helping make this work possible.
