Agricultural and Ranch Deputy Steve Williams responded to Grand Reserve Drive in Bunnell on Friday morning after the Sheriff’s Office received a call of an injured bird with a possible broken leg after being hit by a car.
Once on scene, Williams located a juvenile Sandhill Crane in the grass alongside the roadway. The deputy approached the bird cautiously at which time the bird folded its wings and lay down in the grass. Williams said he believed that the young bird knew he was there to help, as the bird did not offer any resistance as he picked it up.
Williams placed the bird in a large cage he uses in his duties as the agency’s Agricultural and Ranch deputy, then contacted Sherriann Wentworth of East Coast Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Port Orange, who agreed to meet with the deputy and return the bird to her facility, where its injures could be attended to and the bird nursed back to health.
“We are fortunate to have Deputy Williams as our Agricultural and Ranch officer along with people like Ms. Wentworth who make themselves available to respond and rescue distressed and injured animals from what often can be a case of certain death,” said Sheriff Jim Manfre.
Additional information on East Coast Wildlife Rehabilitation Center may be obtained at the Center’s website. Residents may report injured or sick animals to Animal Control Services by calling 386/986-2520.
rst says
Great job Deputy Williams!
GY says
Refreshing news about an animal. What a beautiful creature. Thank you Dep. Williams and NE Wildlife!
squirrel says
I’m glad that sheriff Williams was there to rescue the Sandhill Crane they are a very sweet bird.
tulip says
Awwwwwwwwww Nice, warm and fuzzy story for a change.
JoJo says
Very nice story thanking everyone involved.
Roy says
Good Job, Steve!
Anonymous says
Good job. Hope the bird heals well.
Wild Animal says
Good job, we should make that deputies title Animal Control, get rid of the current animal control and replace it with him. This would save money, cause then the deputies new title being animal control wouldn’t call for him needing a gun and all that expensive equipment.
PC resident says
I drove by this right after it happened and there was only a woman that was following the bird. Then on my way home 30 minutes later there was an officer with the lady. A thank you to the woman who was there first who probably saved the birds life and kept it off US 1.
Tammie Phillips says
Thanks you Dep. Steve… I live in Grand Reserve and missed the baby crane Friday, the parents and other baby come in my back yard everyday and eat the wild birdseed, I was worried the bird was dead, so glad to know some other people are watching out for the safety of these wonderful birds. Thanks so much Dep. Steve/
Ray Thorne says
Good job deputy Williams but I will say Ive witnessed deputies save Raccoons, Foxes, Pelicans, Turtles….they do this on regular basis. Perhaps a plug for the rarely seen agriculture unit…
JOHN C says
was just reading about all the dit bags that live in this town……restores my faith…