“[S]he was unable to fly” 💔
It was a bright, warm day in Southwest Florida last month when a paddleboarder made an alarming discovery. From a distance, she noticed what looked like a clump of feathers drifting on the water’s surface. But as she drew closer, she realized it was actually a struggling osprey caught in a life-threatening situation.
“The osprey was entangled in fishing line, and her feathers were waterlogged, so she was unable to fly,” the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) later shared on Facebook.
The bird had become trapped in fishing line that had snagged on mangrove roots, leaving her tethered and helpless. No one knew how long she’d been there, but it was clear she wouldn’t survive much longer without help.
Acting quickly, the paddleboarder scooped the exhausted bird from the water and called CROW for assistance.
Volunteer rescuer Phyllis Hermann responded right away, arriving by boat to help free the osprey from the mangroves. Once the bird was safely untangled, Hermann placed her in a rescue carrier and rushed her to CROW’s wildlife hospital for treatment.
“At CROW, we removed the line and treated her for minor injuries and dehydration,” the team wrote.
Veterinarians soon noticed something concerning during her exam — the osprey’s breathing was labored. “When listening with a stethoscope, we noted increased respiratory effort and harsh lung sounds, possibly from inhaling water while struggling,” CROW explained.
The osprey was placed on antibiotics and supportive care, and thankfully, she was in otherwise good condition. With time, rest, and expert care, she’s expected to make a full recovery and return to her wild home among the mangroves.
CROW hopes the osprey’s story will remind people to take greater care when fishing near waterways.
“As always, this is a sobering reminder that improperly discarded fishing line is more than just an eyesore,” CROW wrote. “It can trap, injure, and kill our native and migratory wildlife. Mind your line and fish responsibly!”