Bend’s Rescued Bald Eagle Media Superstar

It’s been nearly four weeks since an injured bald eagle was found near La Pine, and now the raptor, newly named Patriot, has become a TV and online superstar.

And it was all thanks to the video filmed by raptor specialist Jeannette Bonomo.

Veterinarian Jeff Cooney blew breath back into the bird’s lungs after it had stopped breathing while under anesthesia during physical therapy last week.

The mouth-to-beak resuscitation captured the media’s attention, from newspapers in New Zealand and Japan to news outlets across the U.S., including CNN

“It’s been wonderful, because people have been calling from all over the United States wanting to donate to Patriot’s care — so bring it on!” Cooney said Monday.

The three women who found Patriot nearly a month ago, clinging to life on the side of the road, say they never expected his story to become a worldwide hit.

“I am totally awestruck, because the vets pretty much told us, had we not taken him, he would have died,” said Laura Luft of La Pine.

So far, people have donated $250 to help aid in Patriot’s recovery, and the support has been overwhelming.

“It does invigorate me to know that so many people are excited about him and they want him to survive,” Cooney said.

The raptor experts say Patriot’s elbow, wrist and wing fracture are getting better. He’s even been moving some of his talons on his paralyzed foot.

At this point, Cooney says he’s not sure the bird will ever go back into the wild. But Patriot’s fight for survival is taking flight across the globe.

“We are going to go above and beyond the call of duty for this guy — no pun intended — because that’s what we do,” Cooney said. “One little puff on an eagle to get him to start breathing has brought this overwhelming support, and we welcome it.”

If you would like to donate to Patriot, you can do so by sending a check to:

Dr. Jeff Cooney

c/o Bend Veterinary Clinic

360 NE Quimby Ave.

Bend, OR 97701

You can also keep track of Patriots recovery on his very own Twitter page — follow him @BendsBaldEagle