April 14 (UPI) — Animal rescuers in New York’s Long Island region came to the rescue of a loon spotted tangled in fishing line in the path of the rising tide.
The Strong Island Animal Rescue League said on social media that rescuer Frankie Floridia responded to the location in the Long Island sound where the loon was stuck in place.
“We knew we had to act fast as the tide is rising and he is literally a sitting duck for a predator,” the post said.
Floridia donned water shoes and waded out to the bird’s location.
Rescuers said loons are usually very docile, but “this one was very stressed and was in full defensive mode, not knowing that Frankie was there to save him.”
Floridia dodged the bird’s sharp beak and was able to cut through the fishing wire and bring the loon back to shore.
The bird was taken to the Sweetbriar Nature Center, where the rest of the fishing line was removed. The loon is expected to be returned to the wild Tuesday.
