When most people head out into nature, they expect peace and relaxation. But for one Florida woman, a routine paddleboarding trip quickly transformed into an urgent rescue mission.
While paddling on the water, she noticed a small bundle of feathers floating nearby. Initially, she thought little of it, but a closer look revealed the feathers belonged to an osprey in distress.
The Critical Rescue
The woman quickly realized that the osprey was entangled in fishing line and unable to free itself. Unable to fly, the bird was stuck, and the paddleboarder knew she had to help immediately.
With no time to waste, she carefully maneuvered her paddleboard closer and scooped the osprey out of the water, bringing it safely onto her board.
After securing the bird, the woman contacted the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW). The rescue team responded swiftly and arrived to assist right away.
Volunteer Phyllis Hermann, who was on a nearby boat, reached the osprey shortly after the initial rescue. She carefully removed the fishing line and any mangroves tangled around the bird.
Once freed, Hermann placed the osprey in a box and rushed it to the CROW hospital for further treatment.
Veterinary Care And Recovery
CROW provided an update on the osprey’s condition on social media, explaining the treatment process: “At CROW, we removed the line and treated her for minor injuries and dehydration.”
While treating the bird, the veterinary team discovered that it was having difficulty breathing, which indicated the possibility of water inhalation while trying to escape the fishing line.
“We noted increased respiratory effort and harsh lung sounds, possibly from inhaling water while struggling,” CROW shared.
They administered antibiotics, and fortunately, the osprey responded well to the treatment. A full recovery was expected in the near future.
A Second Chance For The Osprey
Thanks to the quick action of the paddleboarder, the osprey received a second chance at life. If she had not been noticed in time, the outcome could have been very different.
Once fully recovered,the osprey will be released back into the wild where she belongs.
CROW ended their post with a reminder to the public: “As always, this is a sobering reminder that improperly discarded fishing line is more than just an eyesore. It can trap, injure, and kill our native and migratory wildlife. Mind your line and fish responsibly!”