Operation Heron Rescue

A week ago I took an in-flight picture of a beautiful heron. Later at night when I loaded the picture on my computer, I was upset to see that the poor heron's legs were tangled up in a mess of fishing line with a dangling fishing hook. I had several choice words for whoever was the irresponsible fisherman.

#1

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nMhr​vE A86Q6047 by ldn323, on Flickr

I came back to the Park Office the next day with a printout of the picture. However, I was told that they were already aware of the situation but have not been able to free the heron yet.

This morning I came back and found the same heron. This time there were also some fishermen around and a rescue operation was mounted. While one of them was on the phone and informed the rest of us that help was 5 minutes away, the heron seemed to be agitated and ready to leave. One fisherman tossed him a fish from his catch to keep the heron in place.

#2
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nMhr​Fj A86Q6737 by ldn323, on Flickr

Help arrived (wildlife rescue man in yellow vest). It was decided that another fish should be tossed on the ground to bait the heron to get out of the water. That was done and the heron took the bait. He jumped over the fence to go after the fish.

#3
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/o4tE​yg A86Q6757 by ldn323, on Flickr

Heron picked up the fish on the ground ... and the wildlife rescue man made the jump and tried to catch the heron with a big blanket. Unfortunately the heron was too quick for him.

#4
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nMhr​yV A86Q6762 by ldn323, on Flickr

#5
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/o4LX​di A86Q6764 by ldn323, on Flickr

The heron made a clean getaway with the prize

#6
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nMir​qe A86Q6767 by ldn323, on Flickr

And flew to the other side of the lake

#7
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/o4LW​kr A86Q6771 by ldn323, on Flickr

The man from wildlife rescue spent the next 30 minutes (at least) chasing the heron from one side of the lake to another, back and forth and back and forth. At one point, he got pretty close but the heron got away again.

#8
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/o4EG​BW A86Q6854 by ldn323, on Flickr

After that last attempt, the heron flew off and disappeared from view. We had to give up for the day. Hopefully, other attempts will be made until the @#$%%^ fishing line can be removed from this poor bird.

Thanks for reading/viewing.