A Great Blue Heron is a symbol of freedom and self-determination across North America. As human population rises, the Great Blue Heron’s habitat is decreasing and their numbers at greater risk than ever from human industry and activity.
Let your legacy be wild and consider a planned gift to Wildlife Rescue Association of BC to help animals like the Great Blue Heron that was recently brought into our hospital.
This Spring, Wildlife Rescue was alerted to a Great Blue Heron whose beak was badly entangled in netting. Our rescue team was dispatched immediately to assess the situation and attempt rescue. However, since the bird was fully flighted, capture was proving difficult— the bird would simply fly off when approached!
While originally spotted in Vanier Park in Vancouver, this bird was finally captured over 10-kilometres away in North Vancouver– proof of just how challenging this capture was and the hard work it took to bring them to safety.
We also had the support of many compassionate wildlife lovers in the community who monitored the situation and kept an eye on the heron.
It took two-long weeks, but thanks to our highly skilled and experienced rescue team, the entangled heron was successfully captured!
Upon intake, the netting was removed and it was revealed that good fortune had struck as there was no injury to their beak! But, the heron was underweight as hunting and eating with the entangled netting would have been extremely difficult.
This Great Blue Heron spent the next week recovering in our “Raptor Pen” – our largest enclosure whose construction was made possible by Wildlife Rescue’s generous supporters. This allowed them to maintain their flight muscles. This bird ate very well and quickly gained back some much-needed weight!
After a short stay this heron had a clean bill of health and was released back to nature.
Watch this heron’s release and other wildlife stories at www.youtube.com/c/wildliferescue
