Beer by eagle: Canadian brewer's contest flagged by wildlife officials

VANCOUVER ISLAND, Canada -- A Canadian beer company's unusual ad campaign is getting the attention of wildlife officials.

Phillips Brewing and Malting Company said the winner of a one-time contest will have a can of its new Pilsner delivered to them by a real bald eagle named Hercules.

Matt Phillips, founder of Vancouver Island-based brewing company, partnered with Pacific Northwest Raptors, the local conservationist group trains with, to host the contest.

Robyn Radcliffe, PNR's operations manager, said the organization got involved in an effort to connect the public with the birds and inspire them to get more involved in conservation.

Radcliffe said Hercules won't be flying too far to make the delivery - a kilometer at most. But the provincial government is not on board with the plan.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said PNR's permit states eagles can only be free-flown for bird abatement or educational flight demonstration at its facility and that the delivery would be a violation of that permit.

"They're doing due diligence, ensuring that we're adhering to our permit conditions which is what they're meant to do. So I'm not frustrated, I think it's just a very reasonable response to something that we haven't had the opportunity to talk more about," Radcliffe told CTV News.

Phillips hopes to meet with those officials this week, to change their minds. He said the delivery would be a great way to teach the public how intelligent, strong and agile eagles are.

The beer flight is scheduled for June 5. To find out more, visit beerfromabird.com.