Bird's Remarkable 2,135 Mile Adventure Ends In Miami Beach

MIAMI BEACH, FL — The western osprey had completed a remarkable 2,132 mile journey from Yellowstone National Park to Miami Beach when a city police officer noticed last month that the bird was unable to perch or stand. Fortunately, the animal-loving officer brought the injured raptor to Pelican Harbor Seabird Station. After exactly one month on the mend, the bird will be released back into the wild on Thursday where it may one day find its way back to the Pacific Northwest.

“Pelican Harbor Seabird Station has helped with numerous animals that we have come across in need of medical care,” explained Miami Beach Officer Traci Sierra, who found the animal.

The 18-year police veteran also made a personal donation to the bird's caregivers.

“Without their support and care for our native wildlife, many of these animals in need would not survive," observed Sierra.

The city's Melissa Berthier said that the osprey made the cross-country flight earlier in the year after being tagged at Yellowstone.

"The young, wayward raptor was one of 375 birds banded in the nest by scientists at Yellowstone National Park last summer in an effort to stabilize the population," Berthier explained. "A majority of the birds migrated down to Texas and Mexico, one was observed in Costa Rica and this special visitor migrated to Miami Beach — marking the easternmost return for an Osprey.

Pelican Harbor treats more than 1,500 winged-patients each year.

Berthier said that the city recently awarded a $15,000 grant to Pelican Harbor to help educate the public and train Miami Beach employees on humane resolution of human-wildlife conflicts.

Christopher Boykin, the executive director of Pelican Harbor, added that the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center provided a flight cage to assist with the bird's recovery.

“Having a small facility, it’s important for us to work in conjunction with other organizations, especially wildlife facilities," he said.

A release ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday at Maurice Gibb Memorial Park. The park is located at 1700 Purdy Avenue in Miami Beach.

Photo courtesy Pelican Harbor Seabird Station