“[He] was barely keeping his head above water …”
On a bright day in Brigantine, New Jersey, two close friends were out riding Jet Skis along the coast when they noticed something unusual drifting in the water. At first, they could not make out what it was, but as they moved closer, they realized it was a great egret struggling against the current.
The pair, who help run a local wildlife rescue, immediately understood that the bird was in trouble. Great egrets are familiar along New Jersey’s shoreline, with their white feathers and long necks, but they are not meant to spend long periods floating in open water. When they do, they can quickly become exhausted and waterlogged.
As the rescuers explained, the bird’s body and feathers were fully soaked, and it was barely able to keep its head above the surface. Realizing there was no time to waste, they carefully used a fishing net to lift the egret from the water and bring it back to shore.
Once they reached the dock, they checked the bird’s condition and saw just how weak it had become. The egret was drenched through, limp, and completely worn out from fighting to stay afloat.
The rescuers then brought the bird to Cedar Run Wildlife Rescue, where specialists began providing urgent care. There, the egret is expected to recover fully and eventually return to life in the wild.
Thanks to the rescuers’ quick response and sharp eyes, the bird got the help it needed before the situation turned tragic.