Osprey Drama at Folly Beach

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Responding to calls from concerned citizens about an osprey in distress, rescuers rushed to a cell tower in Folly Beach, SC with hopes of freeing the bird. According to CountOn2.com, wildlife advocates Carol Linville and Vanessa Oltmann quickly arrived at the scene thinking that the osprey was caught in fencing, a familiar scenario to them.

“So I came over here with my towels, my gloves, and a carrier ready to get him off the fence,” said Oltmann, “And low and behold he was up in the tower on the grid plank.” Unfortunately, the bird was entangled high up, beyond the reach of the rescue ladder.  

“It was gut-wrenching to watch him for over an hour struggle to break loose, but he just couldn’t,” said Linville. “He was caught by one foot in the grid hanging upside down.”

Unfortunately, Sunday’s rescue mission became a recovery operation for an emergency tower crew that arrived on Monday. Two tower techs with Southern Tower Services removed the osprey and reported no evidence of abandoned eggs or baby birds.

Oltmann and Linville said they believe some of the birds circling the tower are likely recently hatched youngsters. “We determined the nest was empty,” said Linville. “So the eggs hatched and we believe the three or four that are flying around the nest are probably the babies.”

“I’m happy that the babies are safe and I’m sad about this bird,” agreed Oltmann. “It takes a community of people learning about how important it is for us to take care of our wildlife and marine life.” 

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