This bald eagle was never supposed to fly free again. Watch what he did moments after being released in Oregon

After years of being kept in a cage for protection, an injured bald eagle named Phantom was healed and returned to the wild Monday night over the Rogue National Wild and Scenic River area in southern Oregon.

Biologists from the Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center in nearby Grants Pass examined the bald eagle’s steady flight from its crate along the riverbank as Phantom fans observed from the terrace of the picturesque Galice Resort in Merlin.

Phantom jumped out of the crate, wings up, and flew across the river, landing in a Douglas fir tree just seconds after the door was opened.

Dave Siddon, the director of the wildlife clinic that has been successfully treating Phantom and thousands of other wild creatures since 1981, predicted the behavior of the bald eagle.

According to Siddon, this bird prefers to live in the wild, far from people. Phantom will probably spend the night in hiding, wake up in the morning, survey the situation, and decide whether to travel up or down the river.

However, Phantom took an unexpected action. The six-foot-winged bird soared into the water and soaked for a long time.

Fans of Phantom went silently crazy.

The white-headed, white-tailed bird with a yellow-orange beak enjoyed the simple pleasure of sitting in cool water while a few dozen people stood back and took pictures.

While similarly sized golden eagles prefer cliffs or large trees that provide unhindered views of their food, which includes reptiles, birds, and mammals, bald eagles primarily dwell near water and feed on fish.

Phantom traveled for years to reach the Rogue River. In November 2023, the nine-pound bird was transported to a nearby approved wildlife rehabilitation facility for treatment after it was discovered hurt and unable to fly in Cameron Park Lake, outside of Sacramento, California.

Despite having no broken bones and a soft tissue foot injury, he was declared unreleasable a month later due to his inability to reach a high perch in a flying chamber.

Animals who survive being struck by a car, hurt when they collide with buildings, discovered ill, or shot are transported to a wildlife rehabilitation center. Most are released back into the wild after treatment, depending on the severity of the damage.

The hospital provides lifelong care to those who are unable to leave because of permanent injuries or other circumstances. Some who are not under human stress go on to serve as animal ambassadors in order to raise awareness of the importance of protecting wildlife.

State and federal laws protect golden and bald eagles.

The organization Wildlife Images, a 24-acre public wildlife refuge, adopted Phantom and his cage companion, a female bald eagle named Fury, in 2024. They were being taught as animal ambassadors because they were unable to return to the wild.

In order to honor Iraq War veterans, such as her late brother-in-law, United States Marine Corps sergeant Marty Gonzalez, who took part in the Second Battle of Fallujah in 2004 (code-named Operation Phantom Fury), Shawntai Chapman, a board member of the nonprofit wildlife center, asked that the bald eagles be named Phantom and Fury.

At the release party on Monday, Gonzalez’s widow Tawnee and daughter Alyssa, who reside in Texas, were requested to open the door to Phantom’s crate alongside Chapman. Tawnee Gonzalez told her husband, who battled for freedom, of the bird’s release.

Fury adapted well to human care at Wildlife Images, but the facility’s animal services manager, Kara DeShazo, was persuaded to support Phantom’s return to a natural environment due to his wild nature, dread of people, and exceptional flying ability.

DeShazo added, “He was circling over my head and showed signs he wanted to be free.” He would probably still be a captive bird if he were placed at any other facility.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service granted her special authority to reclassify Phantom as capable of being wild once more.

Following six months of rehabilitation, Phantom’s release was authorized due to his demonstration of survival abilities, which included full sensory awareness, flight agility, hunting instincts, healthy feathers, and a deep dislike of people.

DeShazo and her crew saw that Phantom was able to capture live prey and fly four or more times without winding up in his 100-foot box.

He had complete vision in both eyes, full use of his hands or talons, and the ability to waterproof and preen his feathers, according to radiographs and other examinations.

Shortly before she could see a bird that had been deemed unreleasable return to nature, DeShazo stated, “I’m really happy for Phantom, he’s put in the work.” This is a fantastic time for wildlife photography and bald eagle conservation.

As Siddon had foreseen, Phantom flew to a tall tree far from his admirers to spend the night after taking a half-hour bath in the river.

According to Siddon, whose late father, J. David Siddon, established Wildlife Images, Phantom benefited from the commitment of DeShazo, the training and rehabilitation teams, veterinarian Russell Codd, and others.

“Many people were taking care of him,” Siddon stated. Releasing an animal back into the wild is always a joyful experience.

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Janet Eastman writes on trends and design. You can follow her on X@janeteastman and contact her at 503-294-4072 and jeastman@oregonian.com.

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