Osprey Recovers After Fishing Line Entanglement

The following story about an osprey was shared with us by Clinic For The Rehabilitation Of Wildlife in Florida.

This adult, 1.34-kilogram (about 3 pounds) osprey was admitted from Lehigh Acres, Florida, to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on November 11, 2024. The osprey was found with fishing line entangled around their wings.

Upon initial examination by the veterinary team, the osprey presented with a fishing line (no hook) in the feathers of the dorsal neck, mild thickening of the distal left patagium with dried blood, and mild bruising of the medial aspect of the hocks. Staff suspect that the fishing line that was reported around the wings was removed by the finder, possibly with the hook that caused the injuries to the left wing.

Following triage, the osprey was administered pain medications due to findings seen on examination. Radiographs performed did not show any internal hooks or orthopedic fractures.

In addition to follow-up veterinary checks for the wounds and bruising, the osprey also received supportive care with an assisted, three-times-a-day tube-feeding plan utilizing EmerAid IC Piscivore. Since the osprey presented with a thin body condition, the staff elected to support the bird with EmerAid for the appropriate nutritional and caloric needs, prior to weaning onto a whole fish diet.

As the osprey’s wounds and bruising healed, the bird was moved to an outdoor flight enclosure after 7 days in care to assess for release. Weighing 1.35 kilograms (about 3 pounds), the osprey was released in Lehigh Acres on November, 21, 2024.