It’s another happy ending for the team at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital and for anyone who loves and wants to protect Southwest Florida wildlife.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, where von Arx is based announced on June 18 that a young osprey rescued from a fishing line entanglement high in a tree on Marco Island has been successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild.
The von Arx Wildlife Hospital received a report in early May of a young osprey hanging from fishing line approximately 75 feet above the ground. Brittany Piersma, Wildlife Biologist with Audubon Western Everglades, responded to assess the situation and help coordinate rescue efforts.
Saving the Osprey took a team effort
Initial attempts to reach the bird involved coordination among Audubon Western Everglades, Marco Island Police Department, Marco Island Fire Rescue, and Brian Beckner of Native Bird Boxes. Due to the height of the entanglement, specialized equipment was needed to safely access the osprey.
LCEC responded quickly and deployed a bucket truck, allowing Dylan Goodwin, LCEC’s Journeyman Line Specialist, and Quentin Lutz, LCEC’s Lead Line Specialist, to safely free the bird from the fishing line.
“We’re trained to respond to emergency situations, and helping the osprey was just the right thing to do,” said Goodwin in a press release from the von Arx Wildlife Hospital.
“It’s rewarding to know the bird is safe and back where it belongs,” said Lutz.
Once rescued, a shared volunteer for the Conservancy and Audubon Western Everglades transported the osprey to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Hospital staff determined the bird had sustained minor abrasions from struggling during the entanglement, as well as an encircling wound around one toe. The osprey received supportive care, including antibiotics and pain management, while veterinary staff closely monitored its recovery.
After several days of treatment, the bird was moved to a flight enclosure, where it was able to strengthen its muscles, observe natural behaviors, and continue feeding activity alongside other recovering ospreys.
Following several weeks of rehabilitation, the osprey was deemed ready for release and successfully returned to the wild.
“A massive thank you from Audubon Western Everglades to LCEC for their response, to the von Arx [Wildlife Hospital] staff for our valuable relationship in rescuing wildlife, and to our volunteers for transporting animals and helping with rescues,” said Brittany Piersma, Wildlife Biologist with Audubon Western Everglades.
Fishing line poses threat to birds in SW Florida
Entanglements involving fishing line and other debris are a common source of injury for birds throughout Southwest Florida. In these situations, rapid response is critical, as prolonged stress and injury can significantly impact an animal’s ability to recover and survive.
This young osprey represented just one of more than 3,500 injured, sick, and orphaned native animals cared for annually at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital.
“From entanglement injuries to orphaned baby wildlife, each patient relies on specialized medical care, dedicated staff, and community support to recover and return to the wild,” said Lauren Barkley, Associate Director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital.
Injured wildlife: Who to contact
Community members who encounter injured wildlife can contact the von Arx Wildlife Hospital for guidance and assistance. To learn more about the von Arx Wildlife Hospital or support its work, visit conservancy.org.
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: Team effort saves bird tangled high in tree on Marco; released after rehab
Reporting by Mark H. Bickel, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mark H. Bickel, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
