WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina |Lake Murray resident gets injured osprey some much-needed help

Lake Murray resident gets injured osprey some much-needed help

By Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield - bio | email

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - To say that the story we ran on the News at 6 on Monday night about the injured osprey got plenty of attention would be an understatement

In the past 24 hours, the newsroom has been bombarded with phone calls from viewers who want to help the bird out.

Don Pittman found him on Lake Murray.

"Would you believe a gentleman from up in Batesburg-Leesville called and said, 'Do you have another Hawaiian shirt for tomorrow?' I said yes," said Pittman as he laughed.

Pittman got a couple of phone calls himself and even a few visitors -- all wanting to help the bird.

Kidding aside, Pittman says he only went on the record to get the osprey, who was raised right off his back deck, help for his severed wing.

Jason Peeples is a wildlife biologist. He saw the story and emailed us offering to help.

"A lot of people walk away from situations like this," said Peeples. "I applaud him for trying to find some help for the animal."

So the bird got a free ride to an emergency vet at the Riverbanks Zoo.

"Ok, bird, between me and WIS, hopefully we got you some help," said Pittman, saying farewell to the bird.

And so the story ends of two friends brought together by a broken wing.

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• Viewer finds baby bird with clipped wing, seeks help

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