The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

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.