Osprey release
TOM SNODGRASS
Stu Bennett, an employee of Alden Pines Golf Course, called Tom Snodgrass of the Pine Island Wildlife Sanctuary to report an injured osprey. Snodgrass took the injured osprey to the Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda where the rehab specialist gave it general anesthesia and X-rayed for broken bones. Dr. Robin Jenkins found no broken bones, but the bird’s eyes were bloody leading to head trauma. The rehab specialists had to force-feed him until he was strong enough to feed himself. Once he was strong enough he was then transferred from Peace River’s hospital to a flight cage off Burnt Store Road. On New Year’s Day, the osprey was released by Snodgrass at Alden Pines Golf Course. Once he left the cage, he immediately took flight.