Teamwork Frees Osprey Trapped in Tree

In a commendable display of inter-agency cooperation, a young osprey entangled in fishing line high on a Marco Island tree was successfully rescued and rehabilitated. The dramatic rescue operation, which took place in early May, required specialized equipment and the coordinated efforts of the Marco Island Police Department, Fire Rescue, Audubon Western Everglades, and LCEC. Professionals from LCEC used a bucket truck to reach the bird, freeing it from the nearly 75-foot-high entanglement.

Following its rescue, the osprey was transported to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, where staff treated minor abrasions and an encircling wound on its toe. The bird received antibiotics and pain management, followed by a period in a flight enclosure to regain strength. This successful release highlights the ongoing threat fishing line poses to wildlife in Southwest Florida and the critical role of wildlife rehabilitation centers like von Arx, which care for over 3,500 animals annually.