River Wrangler 2021 Eagle Rescue!

The Shubie River isn’t just home to the world-famous tidal bore rafting Nova Scotia is known for — it’s also a stage for unexpected acts of wildlife heroism. One notable moment caught global headlines: in 2021, guide Emmett Blois and his Shubie River Wranglers team (Matt Baker, Luke Henley, and Morgan Countway) helped rescue a struggling bald eagle caught in the tidal bore. Here’s the full story:

A Daily Sight Turns Critical

Emmett and his team often spot majestic bald eagles soaring or perched along the Shubenacadie River, especially near rocky sandbars where the birds hunt. But during the first tour of the season, something unusual happened: as the flood tide rolled in, a lone eagle remained behind while its companions took flight.

The Eagle in Distress

When the tidal bore surged, the eagle was caught in swirling, muddy water — a slick arena for paddlers, but treacherous for wildlife. Observers noted:

“And then the tidal bore came across and hit him, and he started flapping around and swimming in the water… definitely wasn’t a great swimmer.” globalnews.ca

The team saw it was struggling to stay upright, and likely injured — unable to take off with the flock.

Guides Jump Into Action

Emmett and his trainees navigated the muddy rapids — themselves shaped by the Bay of Fundy tides and tidal bore Nova Scotia liners love to ride — and got their Zodiac next to the eagle m.youtube.com+1whitewolfpack.com+1shubieriverwranglers.ca. Carefully, they lifted it aboard. Despite being shaken and one leg appearing swollen, the bird remained remarkably calm, its heartbeat slowing as they traveled back upstream.

Recovery & Care

The eagle was brought safely to shore and handed over to Hope for Wildlife, a regional rehabilitation centre. The team later received heartwarming updates on the eagle’s gradual recovery. Emmett even asked followers to suggest a name — “Wrangler” being a favorite chesapeakebaymagazine.com+7globalnews.ca+7globalnews.ca+7.

Why It Matters

• Wildlife encounters like eagle-spotting are common on the Shubenacadie tidal bore.
• Guides are trained for safety and swift rescue during rafting tours, reinforcing Nova Scotia’s wildlife-conscious adventure tourism.
• This story was covered by Global News instagram.com+11globalnews.ca+11shubieriverwranglers.ca+11thedodo.com+2facebook.com+2facebook.com+2 and spotlighted by The Dodo in their “river guide drops everything” feature facebook.com+4thedodo.com+4facebook.com+4 — recognition that shows why Shubie River Wranglers stand out.

What This Means for You

Rafting with Shubie River Wranglers isn’t just an adrenaline rush — it’s a respectful immersion into a fragile ecosystem where guides put wildlife welfare first. Their readiness to save lives at a moment’s notice shows a deep connection to the Bay of Fundy ecosystem, and an unwavering commitment to those who share it — river runners, eagles, and everything in between.

Interested in Seeing Eagles?

If eagle-spotting is your jam, our tours often coincide with nesting and feeding areas, we typically spot numerous bal eagles on our tidal bore rafting tours (book now)! Additionally, add a side stop at Shubenacadie Wildlife Park, or plan a whale watching Bay of Fundy Nova Scotia adventure too for a full nature experience.