Bird rescue successful

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | leslielake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Mekayla Baliles and a friend were enjoying the day at the Bradenton Beach Pier last Wednesday when she spotted what appeared to be an injured bird in the water.

As a small crowd gathered, she was able to climb down the rocks, successfully net the bird and carry it up to the dock. A bystander called nearby Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Inc. and volunteers came out quickly.

“There was a fishhook stuck in its foot,” Wildlife Inc. volunteer Krista Carpenter said. “He was fine, he didn’t need stitches and we gave him fluid and vitamins.” loon, releasing the bird later in the day after it was determined that there was no more bleeding and it was able to swim in a pool.