PATIENT OF THE WEEK
Great Blue Heron Release
This Great Blue Heron was recently rescued by members of Tucson Wildlife Center’s rehabilitation team after being found tethered to a bush by fishing line, with a hook embedded in the back edge of his wing. The hook caused a 6 cm tear in the patagium—the skin membrane that stretches from the shoulder to the wrist and is essential for flight mechanics and lift.
Our veterinary team surgically closed the wound, and during recovery, this patient made full use of his heron “superpowers”—staying perfectly still like a statue while waiting to be fed each day and occasionally greeting our wildlife care team with his signature prehistoric-sounding croak (a call that’s been compared to a dinosaur scream).
After regaining full flight strength, this beautiful bird was successfully released back to the wild. Watch the video to see his full journey from rescue to release. And please remember to always dispose of fishing gear responsibly—a single hook can cause serious harm to wildlife! If you would like to help patients like this Great Blue Heron, click this link to donate,
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We appreciate it, as will all the wild animals in our care!
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