New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) made two notable wildlife rescues recently, including a eastern timber rattlesnake in Delaware County, and a bald eagle in Schenectady County.
On July 19th ECOs Curinga and Swan responded to reports of an injured bald eagle on Goat Island at the Erie Canal‘s Lock 7 in Niskayuna, Schenectady County, while on patrol in the Mohawk River. The Officers arrived at the location and discovered the eagle unable to fly.
The angler who reported the injured bird to DEC provided the ECOs with towels to help safely secure the eagle while Officers Curinga and Swan contacted Officer Willson for additional assistance. ECO Willson arrived a short time later with a box to transport the eagle, which was taken to the Friends of the Feathered and Furry rehabilitation center in Greene County for treatment.
DEC checked in with staff from Friends of the Feathered and Furry rehab center and learned the eagle is doing well and will be banded before release.
On July 25th ECO Osborne responded to reports of a eastern timber rattlesnake stuck in a garage in the town of Hancock in Delaware County. Officer Osborne located the snake tangled in black mesh netting and hanging from the wall of the garage.
The ECO successfully moved the snake and mesh outdoors, cut away the mesh with scissors while controlling the snake’s head with a snake hook, and released the reptile unharmed back into the wild and away from the residence.
ECO Osborne is a member of DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement Wildlife Response Team and is equipped with appropriate snake gear for a variety of potential encounters.
Timber rattlesnakes are venomous pit vipers, native to New York State. These snakes are generally found in small, localized areas and are considered a threatened species protected by State law.
Timber rattlesnakes seldom display aggression unless in defense. The public is reminded to leave snakes alone, observe them from a safe distance, and call ECOs if they need a snake removed.
Read more recent wildlife rescues.
Photo of bald eagle rescued from Lock 7 provided by DEC; and ECO Osborne frees timber rattlesnake tangled in mesh (provided by DEC)
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