Injured Osprey Dangling From HdG Platform Rescued In Team Effort

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — Wildlife experts, along with firefighters from the Susquehanna Hose Company, worked together Sunday to rescued an injured osprey in Havre de Grace. The bird's leg was tangled in a piece of braided rope it had used in its nest, and was hanging from its nesting platform between Adams Chevrolet and Cecil Bank along Route 40.

The Susquehannock Wildlife Society said on Facebook that it received calls and messages from several residents who noticed the bird of prey was unable to fly. "Given the height of the bird we knew we couldn’t perform the rescue alone. Fortunately the Susquehanna Hose Company had generously dispatched a fire engine that would be able to safely reach the bird," the wildlife society posted.

Rescuers from Tower 5, the wildlife society, Harford County Animal Control and Maryland Natural Resources Police freed the bird and put it into a carrier for transport. Firefighters removed the remaining rope from the nest to prevent further problems.

On Monday, caregivers said the 1-year-old female was improving and receive anti-inflammatory medicines to help treat a swollen leg.

Wildlife society officials said they were surprised to find that the raptor didn’t have any marks from the rope and its feathers appeared intact despite its struggle to free itself. Rehabilitators tried to release the osprey to get a sense of whether it was strong enough to remain in the wild or required treatment before it could be released. The osprey showed signs that it was either internally injured or too weak from being stranded for so long that it couldn’t easily fly.

Rescuers recaptured the bird and a Maryland Natural Resources Police officer took it to Phoenix Wildlife Center, where it will receive treatment until it is strong enough to be released into the wild.

"This was a perfect example of caring people coming together to help our local wildlife," the wildlife society said.

The rescue started when Brandon Simms and Robert Knopp spotted the osprey in distress while driving down Route 40 and then started reaching out to try to find help. Then a soldier from Aberdeen Proving Ground noticed the bird and joined the others to help contact local agencies that could help, including the Susquehanna Hose Company, Harford County Animal Control, Maryland Natural Resources Police and the Susquehannock Wildlife Society, who was nearby packing up from an all-day event by the Havre de Grace waterfront.

"As a reminder, please properly dispose of all waste, so it doesn’t impact wildlife. Great job by all those involved," the fire department said.