By Nicole Falco
Rebecca Asman and Bobby Horvath, state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitators, were on their way out the door of their North Massapequa home to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday when they got the call that an eagle was found in Valley Stream.
"Eagles may pass through here during migration but they are not known to be here. When we got the call from the woman in Valley Stream who said she had an eagle in her backyard, we said, 'Yeah, sure," Asman said.
Horvath added, "We get at least a dozen calls for eagles a year but none of them ever turn out to be eagles. When we found out this really was an eagle we were totally surprised."
Horvath and Asman are two in a very small network of wildlife rehabilitators. The couple's work is volunteer and they often spend their own money to help treat the animals. Besides the time they have been donating to wildlife for the past 10 years, both have full-time jobs. Horvath is a New York City firefighter in Far Rockaway and Asman is a New York City police officer in Jamaica.
The couple, whose own family includes two dogs and four cats, can get as many as 500 calls for wildlife rescue a year. Often the animals, usually squirrels, owls, possums and turtles, will be treated by the couple in facilities in their home or by a local veterinarian.
"Our goal is to ultimately try to release everything back into the wild but that doesn't always happen. We do it for the good stories," Horvath said.
Horvath and Asman took the eagle, which will develop its signature white feathers on its head and neck by 5-years-old, to Central Veterinary Associates on Merrick Road.
"We've been very lucky with the vets we deal with. They have been really wonderful to the animals," Asman said.
There the eagle was diagnosed and treated by Dr. John Charos. Central Veterinary, like Asman and Horvath, often donates its services for the treatment of wildlife.
Charos said the eagle, an endangered species, is expected to make a full recovery. Charos said various antibiotics were used to treat the Avian Pox Virus, which caused lesions and blisters on the bird's face and weakened him. Within days the eagle was eating on its own again.
"Not too many places deal with wildlife. It's considered time consuming because it takes a little more expertise and out-of-pocket expense," Charos said.
The eagle will remain at Central Veterinary until United States Fish and Wildlife decides otherwise. Because the eagle is an endangered species, the government takes a keen interest in its well being. Once the eagle is well enough, the USFW will decide where it will be released.
"It won't be released back on Henry Street, I can guarantee that," Asman said.
Another interesting coincidence in the eagle's story is that he was found by a cop and fireman just days before the first anniversary of Sept. 11.
"It dawned on me the next day," Charos said. "A fireman, a policewoman, a bald eagle, our national symbol. It was kind of ironic. They did a lot of work at Ground Zero."
Charos also volunteered at the World Trade Center site treating the animals in need of medical attention after the tragedy. Charos, Asman and Horvath were at Ground Zero on Sept. 11 for the memorial services.
"It was a good thing [to find the eagle]. It was a sign of hope," Asman said.
Anyone interested in making monetary donations to Asman and Horvath to offset the cost of treating and rehabilitating the wildlife in need of rescue can mail a check or money order to Wildlife in Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation, 202 No. Wyoming Avenue, North Massapequa, NY 11758.
