Great Blue Heron Rescue: Our veterinarians from Wyoming Veterinarian Services never know what they might have to deal with down here. Aside from the specified requests, they’ve pretty much learned to expect the unexpected. Last month when veterinarian Dr. Derek McFarland came out to remove stitches from Benny bobcat’s leg he also helped us out with an emergency situation. A Great Blue Heron had gotten entangled in fishing line and couldn’t free itself. Several park staff and Dr. McFarland worked as a team to capture, examine, and release the bird.

Our Executive Director Jeff Rosecrans, and Animal Curator Nancy Ream approached the bird from opposite directions along the water line. (One of them slipped into the water but she shall remain unnamed!). Jeff was able to grab the bird and safely put it into the net Nancy was holding. Herons are beautiful birds but they also have sharp beaks and toes so caution was used. Once it was netted we placed it on the dock to be untangled and checked out. Director of Education, Bonnie Cannon gently held the heron while Dr. McFarland cut away the fishing line and thoroughly examined the bird for any injuries. Everything looked fine so we released it and watched it fly away.

The lake where the heron got tangled is a non-fishing lake, but evidently somebody didn’t pay attention to the No Fishing signs. This is a good reminder to everybody that enjoys fishing….please be careful with lines, hooks, bobbers, etc. that can get tangled in trees, underwater brush, and branches because it can have a devastating effect on wildlife. This heron was fortunate that it was discovered and rescued – it could have turned out differently had it not been spotted by a visitor at a place where people were able to help.”