Jackson, WyomingMeghan Warren grabbed the bald eagle's legs with thick leather gloves to secure its powerful talons. With her other hand, she pinned the bird's wings before they could unfold to their six-foot span.

As Warren slowly removed the ailing eagle from an oxygen chamber at the animal hospital where she worked, it suddenly awakened from a stupor. It snapped its yellow hooked beak, puncturing her right cheek. Blood trickled down her face.

"Oh, my God!" shouted a veterinary technician, jumping back.

It was a surprising move for a bird in such poor shape. Less than 36 hours earlier, this eagle was too weak to hold up its white-feathered head. It arrived at the Teton Raptor Center slumped on its breast, wings