Great Blue Heron Pickleball Rescue: Rescuers helped a great blue heron in Lakeland after it got its beak stuck in a pickleball. The bird was found near Lake Hollingsworth, struggling to eat and becoming thin. The Raptor Center of Tampa Bay called the situation “nearly fatal” for the heron.
Rescue Efforts and Recovery
Rescuers spent several days trying to catch the bird before successfully capturing it on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. They carefully cut the pickleball from the heron’s beak, allowing it to eat again. The bird is now recovering at the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay rehabilitation facility.
Warning to the Public
The Raptor Center of Tampa Bay used this rescue to remind people to pick up any plastic items used outdoors. Such objects can accidentally trap wildlife and threaten their survival.
News in Brief: Great Blue Heron Pickleball Rescue
A great blue heron in Lakeland got its beak stuck in a pickleball near Lake Hollingsworth. Rescuers at the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay removed the ball after several days. The bird, which had become thin, is now recovering. The center warns people to retrieve plastic items outdoors.