Osprey euthanized

On August 3, one Cathlamet resident was on her daily walk around the track at Wahkiakum High School when she noticed what appeared to be a female osprey in distress at the base of its nearby nest.

Thinking it had been shot, she and her partner made a call to the Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Department, which forwarded the concern to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

WDFW Police did respond to a call of an injured osprey, Becky Elder wrote in an email. Elder is a Washington State Fish and Wildlife Police Communications Specialist.

“It appeared a fledgling had fallen out of a nest,” Elder wrote. “An officer took the osprey to the wildlife rehabilitator in Long Beach who brought it to a veterinarian. Upon x-ray examinations they determined the bird had sustained extensive injuries and was unfortunately euthanized.”

According to Elder, it is natural to want to help if you discover a baby bird on the ground or a deer fawn alone in the forest. To learn more about what to do if you encounter a wild animal that appears to be orphaned or injured, and whether it's best to leave it alone, or to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, go to https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/injured-wildlife.

In the event of an immediate public safety issue, wildlife violation, or an injured or dangerous animal, call the WDFW Enforcement office at 360-902-2936, email enforcement-web@dfw.wa.gov, or call 911.