VIDEO/PHOTO: A Pennsylvania Game Commission warden and crews from the York City Department of Fire/Rescue Services saved a bird in distress at Kiwanis Lake Friday afternoon. The egret was stuck in a tree on an island in the lake. York City Fire started getting calls about the bird Thursday night, but due to thunderstorms in the area, they couldn’t get to it.
Friday afternoon, crews took a boat out to the island and set up a ladder. They were able to reach the bird and rescue it. It appeared that fishing line or wire was wrapped around one of the egret’s wings. State Game Warden Cameron Murphy said this case demonstrates why it’s important not to litter. Murphy also said Kiwanis Lake is one of only a few places in the commonwealth where egrets nest, so it’s an important location for them.
“If we leave a bird like that hanging in the tree and it dies, it could create what’s called an effigy, which will cause the other birds to not want to nest here anymore โ which would be a pretty big concern,” he said. The bird will be taken to a rehab. Once it’s deemed healthy, it will be released back into the wild.
