WILLIAMSBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — On April 14, a Great Blue Heron was found entangled in fishing line at Waller Mill Park in Williamsburg, Virginia. Responders from Tidewater Wildlife Rescue arrived quickly and were able to safely capture the bird, transporting it to the Wildlife Center of Virginia for evaluation and care.

Upon admission, the Center’s veterinary team discovered that the fishing line had wrapped tightly around the bird’s left wing, causing abrasions and swelling on both wings. The heron also had bruising across its shoulders and wing joints—injuries likely caused by its struggle to free itself. Radiographs confirmed there were no fractures or internal injuries.

Up close of a Great Blue Heron's face.
Source: Wildlife Center of Virginia

The vet team carefully removed the fishing line and began treatment, which included pain medication, anti-inflammatories, fluids, and supportive care. Since Great Blue Herons are known to be highly sensitive to stress in captivity, the bird was placed in a quiet outdoor enclosure with minimal handling to support its recovery.

“The injuries were relatively mild, but we wanted to make sure the heron could fly well before considering release,” said Dr. Olivia, the Center’s Veterinary Research Fellow. “After a couple of days of rest, we moved the bird to a larger flight enclosure, where we could monitor it remotely.”

A Great Blue Heron sitting on a branch scratching its body with its beak.
Source: Wildlife Center of Virginia

Camera footage from the enclosure showed encouraging progress. The heron was observed hunting without difficulty and successfully catching fish from the pool. On April 22, the team observed what they’d been hoping for—the heron took flight, flying strongly from one end of the enclosure to the other.

Later that day, staff from Tidewater Wildlife Rescue returned the bird to Waller Mill Park, just a few miles from where it was originally found. A short video captured the moment of release.

Video embed provided by Wildlife Center of Virginia.

Fishing line entanglement is a common but preventable danger to wildlife, especially waterbirds like herons. To help protect birds and other animals, always dispose of fishing line and tackle properly, and encourage others to do the same. To learn more about how fishing gear impacts wildlife, visit the Wildlife Issues page on the Wildlife Center’s website.