An injured American bald eagle was rescued Saturday afternoon near Metro’s Van Dorn Street Station.

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Metro reports that they received a call from the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia (RCV) about the eagle, which RCV had been monitoring for two days after a citizen reported the eagle’s location.

After finding the eagle, Metro Transit Police contacted Alexandria Animal Control and RCV for assistance.

Personnel used an out-of-service Metro train to gain access to the eagle, which was inside a track fence about 300 yards east of the Van Dorn Street Station behind the 5300 block of Eisenhower Avenue, police say.

While the rescue operation was underway, Blue Line service was single-tracked around the rescue train, causing “minor delays,” according to the police statement.

Rescuers stabilized the eagle at the scene and then transported it to the RCV facility in Falls Church at about 5 p.m.

From the WMATA release: The American bald eagle is a protected species under Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

The Raptor Conservancy of Virginia is a nonprofit volunteer organization that rehabilitates and releases injured, ill or orphaned native Va. birds of prey. Trained and experienced RCV volunteers handle emergency treatment of injured raptors, recuperative care, administration of medications, feeding, conditioning and release. RCV raptor rehabilitation is done in close consultation with two highly qualified veterinarians who perform surgery, take x-rays, prescribe medications, and perform prerelease physicals for raptor patients. For more information about RCV, please visit their website.