Local Tree Climber Saves Osprey During Night Rescue
Ken Cooper • August 5, 2024
Osprey was caught in fishing line and tree
This weekend the Orange Beach Wildlife Center received a report about an Osprey stuck in a tree. The bird was entangled in fishing line. The team knew their usual methods would not work in the dark.
They called Phillip from Spar Land & Tree Management for help. Phillip climbed the tree and secured the branch the Osprey was on. He carefully cut the branch and lowered it to the ground.
A team was waiting below to retrieve the bird. The Osprey had a hook in its wing and another in its foot. The team removed the fishing gear and cleaned the wounds. They took the osprey back to the Wildlife Center are now providing care for the bird.
The Wildlife Center thanked Phillip for his quick response. Without him, the bird would have remained stuck all night. They also praised their interns who worked past midnight to help the Osprey.
The Wildlife Center would like to remind everyone to "Mind Your Line" to help prevent such incidents.
The Orange Beach Wildlife Center's Mission is the protection and preservation of wildlife. If an animal is injured, please do not offer it any food or water as they might not be physically fit enough to process the food offered. Please get the animal to the closest licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

For Injured or Orphaned Wildlife
- Inside Orange Beach city limits, call Police Dispatch at (251) 981-9777
- For domestic animals, please contact Police Dispatch
- Outside of Orange Beach city limits, call 1-844-303-WILD (9453)
- For dolphin and whale stranding's (live or carcasses), call 1-877- WHALE-HELP (877-942-5343)
- For manatee stranding's (live or carcasses), call 1-866- 493-5803
- For Sea turtles, call 1-844-SEA-TRTL
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