A heartwarming wildlife rescue recently took place in Tasmania. Rescuers found a distressed Australian magpie dangling 50 feet up a tree. It was entangled in a fishing line. The bird, trapped upside down by the string, faced an uncertain future until the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary stepped in.
After hearing about the magpie’s precarious situation during a storm, the sanctuary immediately took action. The bird was out of reach for a standard ladder. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary posted an urgent call for help on their Facebook page. The response was immediate and overwhelming, as wildlife enthusiasts rallied with well-wishes and offers of assistance.
Enter Trent O’Shea, an arborist with a heart for animals. Within hours, O’Shea arrived at the scene, equipped with the gear needed for this special rescue. The climb, as O’Shea later shared on social media, was made even more challenging by the fact it was nighttime. Using his expertise and thermal equipment, he carefully scaled the towering tree and freed the helpless magpie from its snare.
Once safely on the ground, O’Shea and the sanctuary team discovered the reason for the bird’s predicament. A fishing line had become tightly wrapped around the magpie’s leg. Unfortunately, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary has had to deal with similar cases, especially as springtime brings nesting season. Birds often collect various materials for their nests. However, if they encounter discarded trash like twine or fishing line, they risk becoming entangled.
“Rubbish like fishing line, twine, and other debris is a real danger for birds. We urge everyone to properly dispose of such items to prevent tragedies like this,” Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary posted on Facebook.
After the daring rescue, the magpie was rushed to the vet. The magpie flew for months with the fishing line around its leg. It also hung upside down during the storm. Despite this, the vet managed to safely remove the line. While the bird sustained an injury to its leg, the sanctuary is hopeful for a full recovery. The magpie is now in Bonorong’s care until it’s healthy enough to return to the wild.
This inspiring story of wildlife rescue serves as a reminder to protect our environment. We must keep it free of harmful debris. Thanks to Trent O’Shea and the dedicated team at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, this lucky magpie is on the road to recovery.
“Thankfully, the bird is expected to make a full recovery,” the sanctuary shared in an uplifting update on social media.
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