MT. STERLING, OH — What began as a routine Wednesday morning at Deer Creek Lake turned into a wildlife rescue operation after a Great Blue Heron became entangled in fishing line caught on a power line near Deer Creek Dam.
A local fisherman first spotted the distressed bird hanging from the line in the downstream area and quickly alerted U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff, who manage the site. In response, Corps personnel coordinated with a wildlife officer and contacted South Central Power, the utility company responsible for the overhead line.
Since only South Central Power crews are authorized and equipped to work on power lines, the company dispatched lineman Jason Raine to the scene. With the assistance of Corps staff, Raine was transported by jon boat to the location of the entangled bird.
The rescue operation was successful. Once the heron was safely brought down, staff removed the fishing line and released the bird. The heron was tired but uninjured, and it made its way to shore under observation.
Fishing line left behind by anglers can pose serious hazards to wildlife, especially near water where birds often nest or feed. Officials reminded visitors to properly dispose of fishing line and gear to help protect the local environment and its inhabitants.
