When we venture into nature for some peace and quiet, most of us expect to relax and unwind. However, for one Florida woman, a routine paddleboarding trip unexpectedly turned into a rescue mission.
While out on the water, she spotted a clump of feathers floating nearby. Initially, she thought nothing of it, but upon a closer look, she realized the feathers belonged to an osprey in serious trouble.
A Critical Rescue
The woman quickly saw that the osprey was tangled in fishing line and unable to free itself. The bird was stuck and couldn’t fly, so this paddleboarder knew she had to step in and help.
With no time to waste, she acted fast. Gently maneuvering her paddleboard closer, she scooped the osprey from the water and brought it onto her board.
After rescuing the bird, she immediately contacted the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), who responded right away and rushed to assist.
A Swift Response From CROW
Volunteer Phyllis Hermann, who was on a boat nearby, reached the bird soon after. Upon arriving, she carefully removed the fishing line and any mangroves tangled around the osprey.
Once the bird was free, Hermann placed it in a box and quickly transported it to the CROW hospital for further treatment.
Veterinary Care And Recovery
CROW shared an update on Facebook, explaining the steps taken to treat the osprey: “At CROW, we removed the line and treated her for minor injuries and dehydration.”
During treatment, veterinarians discovered that the osprey had difficulty breathing. This sign pointed to her having inhaled water while struggling to escape the fishing line.
“We noted increased respiratory effort and harsh lung sounds, possibly from inhaling water while struggling,” CROW wrote.
They administered antibiotics, and fortunately, the osprey responded well to the treatment. She was expected to make a full recovery soon.
A Second Chance For The Osprey
Thanks to the quick actions of the paddleboarder, the osprey was saved just in time and given a second chance. If the woman hadn’t noticed the bird in need, the outcome could have been very different.
Once the osprey fully recovers, she will be released back into the wild.CROW ended their post with a reminder: “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!”