Days before his fall, eaglet Diecinueve enjoys dinner with his mama.

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Two professional tree climbers have been recognized for their heroism in rescuing a fallen bald eaglet last April.

Sacramento County Supervisor Rich Desmond last week presented resolutions to Placerville residents Kiover Lara and Gabriel Cuevas. The ceremony also saluted the career of Fair Oaks-based wildlife rescue specialist Ben Nuckolls, who supervised the mission that saved the three-week-old eaglet.

 County Supervisor Rich Desmond (rear) presents resolutions and a Susan Maxwell Skinner eagle portrait to tree climber heroes Gabriel Cuevas (center) and Kiover Lara. Animal rescue specialist Ben Nuckolls (left) was also honored for career-long dedication to saving wildlife.

“It’s just great that people like Kiover and Gabriel used their skills and courage to save our national bird from a situation that seemed like mission impossible,” Desmond said. “And Ben Nuckolls is an incredible asset to the safety of wildlife on our American River Parkway.”

Co-operating in the perilous rescue that made national news, the heroes gained brief celebrity. The foothills arborist company that employs Cuevas and Lara got a welcome business boost.

 Pictured on the day of the rescue, heroes Kiover Lara (left) and assistant Gabriel Cuevas were a last hope for the eaglet’s survival.

On April 27, climber Lara, 45, and ‘ground man’ partner Cuevas, 42, were enjoying a quiet Saturday off. Their boss, Mauro Rios, was doing godfather duties at a Quinceañera party. A nephew relayed a desperate call from a nest site observer: a bald eaglet known as Diecinueve (Spanish for 19) was dangling 100 feet up. The nest tree topped a ravine and firefighters deemed the terrain too steep and dangerous for ladders.

Sierra Pacific Tree Care owner Rios told his best climbers that an eagle needed rescuing.

“Kiover never says no,” reported the boss. “He does anything we ask of him.”

Rios OKed the use of company equipment and help was quickly dispatched.

Baby Diecinueve had alternated between frantic flapping and exhaustion for at least 10 hours before the rescue. Supervising efforts, Nuckolls warned the climbers that they would be unpaid and must work at their own risk.

Lara responded that he had retrieved plenty of cats from trees but, he conceded, “Eagles, no.”

 The nesting tree tilts over an American River canyon. With ropes, harnesses and spikes, Kiover Lara made the perilous climb last April.

He and Cuevas scrambled downhill to the tree base. Above, circling eagle parents shouted outrage.

“The lean on that tree worried us,” Lara said. “We were also concerned the mother eagle might come at us. We said a prayer and figured it would be all right.”

With Cuevas manning safety ropes, up Lara scrambled. Hearts thumped below.

“We were all scared,” admitted an onlooker. “Not just that Kiover might fall; the higher he climbed, the closer the baby’s mama circled.”

Lara quickly reached and untangled the three-pound bundle of feathers.

“He was bigger than I thought,” he recalled. “He felt soft and fluffy, like a stuffed toy. He looked at me bravely. I told him: you’ll be OK, baby."

With precious cargo, descent was slower. When climbers and a cage appeared over the canyon ridge, firefighters cheered. Volunteers blinked back tears.

 Safe in a dog carrier, the 3-week-old eaglet reaches safety after its rescue.

In minutes, Nuckolls and fellow rescuer Leslie Ackerman spirited the dehydrated eaglet to Gold Country Wildlife Rescue in Auburn. This facility operates in conjunction with the Lincoln-based Bird of Prey Health Group.

Diecinueve was given fluids and anti-inflammatory medication. Otherwise undamaged, Diecinueve was later moved for rehab at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care in South Lake Tahoe. When fully grown, his release would be managed by this agency.

“My family and I love eagles. We were relieved the little guy was safe and would one day fly free. Supervisor Desmond’s award makes us proud,” said climber Lara.

Adds rescue specialist Nuckolls: "I’m thankful that Kiover and Gabriel and other volunteers were on hand and we could all work together. Rescuing wildlife has always been my passion. Because this nest site is close to my home, I had an extra interest in the situation. Like many people, I’d watched this beautiful family for years. I felt a special responsibility to help them."

For the safety of the eagles, the American River nest location is not included in this report. Learn about Sierra Pacific Tree Care company services at www.sierrapacifictree.com

Learn more about Gold Country Wildlife Rescue at www.goldcountrywildliferescue.org.

 The heroes are joined by Sierra Tree Care co-workers, family members, fire fighters and volunteers who assisted the bald eaglet rescue. Supervisor Rich Desmond (back row right) commended the group.