Popcorn Park Animal Refuge Saves Thick-Billed Murre's Life

Experts aren't sure how a thick-billed murre escaped from gill netting at Barnegat Light. But the Popcorn Park Animal Refuge in Forked River was able to save his life and release him back out to sea this month, the organization says.

A couple walking along the beach in December noticed the murre trying to come ashore, but the retreating waves kept pulling him back. He was tangled in some netting but was somehow able to break free with only a little netting around him.

The Popcorn Park Animal Refuge cut off the netting and treated his wounds. They brought him to Toms River Avian Care, which actually had another murre with whom this animal could rehab. Both birds recovered and were released back out to sea during warmer days earlier this month, the Popcorn Park Animal Refuge says.

Thick-billed murres spend most their time in the water but form dense colonies on cliffs during breeding season, according to birdsna.org.

You can donate to rescue efforts on the Associated Humane Societies & Popcorn Park website. The organization lists information on the ResQ Fund, which "provides emergency, surgical or other intensive medical care to animals that have suffered excessively cruel or neglectful treatment," they state.

Photos provided by Associated Humane Societies.