In a display of community cooperation, an osprey entangled in fishing line, 40 feet high in a pine tree was successfully rescued on Wednesday morning. The Orange Beach Wildlife Center and Management Program led the operation, which involved multiple attempts and creative problem-solving before getting the stressed Osprey to the ground.

It began when the Wildlife Center received a report of an osprey trapped approximately 40 feet high in a tree in the 27000 block of Canal Road. Recognizing the complexity of the situation, the center's staff quickly called for reinforcements.

The City of Orange Beach Fire Department was the first to respond, bringing larger ladders and ropes. Firefighters attempted to climb the tree and cut the limb where the osprey was trapped, but this approach proved unsuccessful.

Undeterred, the rescue team reached out to Phillip Kabatt from Spar Land & Tree Management for assistance. (Philip is a former Orange Beach Surf Rescue Lifeguard). While waiting for Kabatt's arrival, the team continued to explore other rescue methods.

The breakthrough came when staff from the City of Orange Beach Coastal Resources arrived with a fishing pole. In an innovative move, they cast a fishing line over the tree limb, attached a rope to the line, and used it to pull down the branch.

Wildlife Center staff were positioned at the base of the tree to quickly secure the distressed bird. The osprey was immediately taken to Orange Beach wildlife facility for treatment.

At the center, the fishing tackle was removed from the bird, and it was given pain medication. The osprey was then placed in an oxygen chamber to recover from the ordeal.

The Wildlife Center emphasized the crucial role of community collaboration in the rescue. They expressed gratitude to the Orange Beach Fire Department, Phillip Kabatt, the Orange Beach Police Department, and their own staff and interns for their dedication and quick response.

This incident highlights the importance of community readiness and cooperation in wildlife rescue operations. It also serves as a reminder of the potential dangers that discarded fishing line can pose to local wildlife.