Wildlife rehabilitator Tommy Young, of Mena, will make his third bald eagle release of 2021 at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 3, at the Hickory Nut Mountain vista in Mount Ida.
The gathering will begin at 5 p.m. The public is welcome to attend the free event.
According to a news release from the Arkansas Native Plant & Wildlife Center, in early April, Cpl. Mac Davis of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission was contacted by someone scouting turkeys about an injured adult male eagle, which was dragging a wing and unable to fly.
Davis, who was named the 2020 Colonel Bob Brantly Wildlife Officer of the Year by the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies at its 74th annual meeting in October, posted about the incident on his Facebook page, according to the release.
"You never know what you're going to be chasing through Muddy Creek WMA. Apparently, he does not know the meaning of 'Stop, I'm trying to help.' Dang they can run," the post said.
"Mac persevered and caught the eagle after chasing it for what he said seemed like half a mile. He threw a blanket over the eagle and caught it," the release said.
Young received the eagle, which had numerous injuries, including what appeared to be talon marks from another eagle.
"The eagle is mended, well, and ready to go. What a great way to celebrate our nation's birthday, by witnessing this symbol of our country fly away and head for home," the release said.
This will be the 115th bald eagle cared for and released back to the wild by Young, who has been rehabilitating wildlife since he was a teen and is authorized by the U.S. government to care for injured eagles.
"Mr. Young's late father was born on July 3rd, so there is a special significance to the date," the release said.
"Donations are gratefully accepted, however, as this important work receives no government funding and is supported solely by donations," the release said.
Tax-deductable donations may also be made to ANPWC, P.O. Box 1881, Mena, AR 71953.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be held Sunday, July 4, at 5 p.m.
The turn-off for Hickory Nut Mountain is located about 13 miles east of Mount or 23 miles west of Hot Springs, about 1.3 miles west of the Garland-Montgomery county line.
Once on Hickory Nut Mountain Road, take the left fork at 1 mile.
At 3.5 miles is a sign for the picnic area; the road ends at 4.2 miles at the vista overlook, where the eagle will be released.