A call that was not typical was received over the weekend about a great blue heron that was stranded on a lake. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team immediately went into action to respond to the situation.
It was approximately 8:30 p.m. on Sunday when the team was sent to Lake Louise, which is located in Brandon Township, Michigan, according to the sheriff’s office. It was discovered by the team that the bird was caught in fishing line after they deployed their rescue boats. Ashley Tester and Aubrie Mausolf, two law enforcement officers, went through the water and placed a towel over the bird’s head after they had crossed the deep water. A number of minutes were spent by the officers as they removed the bird from the fishing line after they had picked it up.
This video of the rescue was distributed by the sheriff’s office. Viewing the rescue can be done through the video player located above.
According to a statement released by Sheriff Michael Bouchard, “Our search and rescue team has grown in both size and ability, and as a result, we are capable of rescues of all kinds.” Specifically, they were able to save the magnificent Blue Heron, which is a bird that we all take pleasure in observing all over our state. I have a lot of respect for their efforts.
No signs of lacerations or other injuries were discovered by the authorities during their examination of the bird. Prior to the bird entering the water and swimming away, it was brought to the shore for a final examination before it was released. The fishing line was removed in order to prevent incidents of a similar nature.
The Oakland County Animal Control Agency reportedly assisted with the rescue, according to the sheriff’s office.
It is believed by the authorities that the errant cast ended up in the tree, and the individual attempted to remove it but was unsuccessful.
According to Lieutenant Brian Burwell, who is a member of the Search and Rescue Team, “This was definitely not your standard call.” It is inconceivable that the bird would have been able to escape from that place… Despite the fact that the fishing line had been wrapped around its wings multiple times, there was no way that it could be made to escape. There, I have no doubt that the bird would have perished.
