Osprey Rescued After Fishing Line Entanglement in Apollo Beach

Osprey Rescue Operation

• 💡 A female osprey, now named Symphony, was rescued in Apollo Beach after becoming entangled in fishing line.
• 🎯 The rescue was a collaborative effort involving Tico, the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay, and local maintenance personnel.
• ⚠️ A homeowner left out six lines of fishing line, leading to the osprey's entanglement.

Critical Rescue Steps

• 🚀 Tico provided a bucket truck, enabling rescuers to reach the osprey tangled on a platform nest.
• ⚠️ Rescuers emphasize that cutting fishing line is never advisable as it can cause more harm, as seen when the osprey flew back to its nest with the hook and line still attached.
• 🤝 The bird was safely lowered to the ground by the line, allowing for the removal of the hook and fishing line.

Symphony's Recovery and Family

• ✨ Symphony is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay for a puncture wound and wing injury.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Her mate has been diligently feeding the two chicks in the nest and even Symphony while she was recovering.
• ⏳ She will be released back into the wild once her wing has healed and the wound has closed.

Responsible Fishing Practices

• 🎣 The Raptor Center urges anglers to fish responsibly, remove all fishing line, and take back any equipment used.
• 📞 In cases of bird entanglement, it is crucial to contact wildlife rehabilitators instead of attempting to cut the line yourself.