In Bartow, Florida, a pair of animal control officers from Polk County sprang into action on Tuesday to assist a wood stork that had become ensnared in a fishing lure and line.
Residents spotted the stork struggling at Hack Lake in Bartow late Tuesday afternoon and called the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for help.
Officers Williams and Shores arrived at the scene, with footage capturing Williams as he removed his shoes and rolled up his pant legs, wading into the lake to retrieve the distressed bird and bring it safely to the shore.
The two officers then worked together to remove the fishing lure and line from the bird’s legs. Multiple onlookers also watched the rescue unfold.
One person could be heard stating, “It’s got one leg hooked into the other.”
“Oh, little guy. That’s going to need to be treated,” Officer Williams said.
Officer Shores held the wood stork down while Williams worked to cut the fishing lure and line off the bird’s legs.
“He’s going to hate me for this, but you know what,” Williams said.
The wounded bird was eventually freed and was taken to the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay to be rehabilitated.
“We’re hoping for a full recovery,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a social media post sharing details of the rescue.
