FirstEnergy and Wildlife Officials Team Up to Protect Young Eagles as America Nears Its 250th Birthday

As America approaches its 250th birthday, a team of FirstEnergy employees in Summit County, Ohio, stepped in to protect one of the nation’s most enduring symbols – the bald eagle.

High above the 825-acre Nimisila Reservoir in Green, three eaglets had made their nest on a transmission structure. The area is a known hotspot for raptor activity, and routine monitoring is part of FirstEnergy’s broader commitment to wildlife protection. That routine oversight quickly turned into an urgent situation when a fishing lure was discovered lodged in the beak of one of the young birds.

A Coordinated Rescue Effort

Wildlife Officer Zach Hillman with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources identified the danger and immediately alerted FirstEnergy personnel. What followed was a swift, coordinated response involving FirstEnergy line workers, environmental specialists, dispatchers and wildlife experts. Crews prepared to deenergize the line on June 24, climb the structure and safely free the eaglet.

As the rescue operation got underway, Hillman used a drone to monitor the nest. In a fortunate turn of events, the eaglet managed to free itself from the hook before line crews needed to intervene. The climb was called off, and the young bird was confirmed safe.

“Situations like this show how important it is for utility crews, wildlife officers and the public to stay aware and act quickly,” said Hillman. “Even something as small as a lost fishing lure can become life-threatening for these birds, but when everyone works together, we can give them a second chance.”

Balancing Safety and Wildlife Protection

The incident highlights both the resilience of wildlife and the challenges they face when nesting near electric utility infrastructure. Eagles and ospreys are naturally drawn to high vantage points near water, making transmission structures appealing, but risky, nesting sites. Materials used to build nests can conduct electricity when wet, increasing the risk of fires and potential outages.

Once the nesting season concludes and the birds have migrated, FirstEnergy will take additional steps to reduce future risk at the site. Crews plan to remove the inactive nests and evaluate deterrents to discourage rebuilding future nests in hazardous locations, while also installing or enhancing nearby nesting platforms to provide safer alternatives.

These efforts are part of FirstEnergy’s broader approach to protecting wildlife while maintaining electric reliability. The company installs dedicated nesting platforms, uses drones to monitor hard-to-reach areas and equips crews with tools to report wildlife concerns in real time. Because bald eagles are federally protected, any nest management is done in partnership with wildlife agencies and in compliance with all regulations.

“Protecting our nation’s symbol is a responsibility we take seriously,” said Mark Mroczynski, President of Transmission at FirstEnergy. “This coordinated response shows the dedication of our employees and partners who stand ready to act whenever wildlife and reliability intersect.”

As communities prepare for Fourth of July celebrations – and the nation’s 250th birthday draws closer – this successful rescue effort serves as a powerful reminder: protecting wildlife, especially a symbol as iconic as the bald eagle, takes teamwork, vigilance and a shared commitment to act when it matters most.

MEDIA CONTACT: Lauren Siburkis, (330) 203-8850