On July 30, NYS Environmental Conversation Officer (ECO) Perkins responded to the Bay Shore Marina in Islip, in Suffolk County on Long Island for a report of an injured osprey observed in a parking lot for hours.
Officer Perkins arrived and discovered the bird moving slowly and unable to fly.
The ECO carefully and successfully captured the osprey and transported it to a local rehabilitator for further treatment.
The rehabber has since said the osprey is continuing to improve at the local rehab facility and will soon be ready for release back into the wild.
On Aug. 7, ECO Franz responded to a report of an alligator in a freshwater pond at Cow Meadow Preserve in the village of Freeport on Long Island.
The caller, a local birdwatcher, provided Officers with a clear photo of the juvenile gator and remained at the location until ECOs arrived.
ECOs Franz, Pabes, and Lieutenant Amato arrived at the location with a canoe, safely captured the reptile in the pond, and transported it to a local rehabilitator licensed to care for alligators. The juvenile gator remains at the rehabilitation facility awaiting permanent relocation.
In New York State, it is unlawful to import, possess, or sell any alligator, caiman, or crocodile, parts thereof, and products made from those animals without the proper DEC permits.
An investigation is currently underway to locate the person or persons that unlawfully released the animal.
On the evening of Aug. 12, ECO Walraven responded to a homeowner concerned about a timber rattlesnake on their porch in the town of Wawarsing in Ulster County, NY.
The caller reported the venomous snake was blocking the home’s sole exit. Officer Walraven arrived at the location and discovered the snake under the porch, feasting on a rabbit.
The ECO safely relocated the snake and its meal to the back of the property, away from the residence.
On Aug. 24, ECO DeRose received a report of a possible spill in the town of Babylon on Long Island that had polluted a creek and impacted a family of mallard ducks.
Officer DeRose responded to the residence adjacent the creek and observed a hen mallard and two ducklings that appeared to be discolored due to the apparent spill.
ECO DeRose managed to successfully wrangle the ducks with assistance from the homeowner, observed what appeared to be a petroleum product on the birds, and contacted Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown, which agreed to meet the Officer and help the duck family.
ECO DeRose and two Nature Center employees repeatedly washed the three ducks and observed significant improvements.
All three birds regained some of their natural color and consumed healthy portions of duck feed.
The source of the apparent spill has not yet been identified but DEC Spills experts and town of Babylon officials are investigating the incident in hopes of finding the person or persons responsible.
The ducks remain at Sweetbriar Nature Center where they will continue to receive treatment until they are ready for release back to the wild.
You can watch a video of ECO DeRose assisting in the washing of the ducks here.
Read more recent wildlife rescues here.
Photos, from above, provided by DEC: ECO Perkins with distressed osprey; ECOs Franz (right) and Pabes (left) with abandoned alligator; and Timber rattlesnake discovered outside Ulster County residence; and Mallard duck and ducklings rest at Sweetbriar Nature Center in Suffolk County
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