As a rescuer and rehabilitator with Jaeger’s Run Animal Rescue, Lisa Jaeger is always ready to help needy animals in and around Port Jefferson, New York.
When Jaeger recently got a call about a great blue heron found “freezing to death” outside a neighbor’s basement door, the animal expert raced over.
“When we arrived on the scene, my heart sank,” Jaeger told The Dodo.
Jaeger’s Run Animal Rescue
The beautiful bird had blood on his wings and legs, and he was so weak that he couldn’t stand.
In general, seeing a great blue heron in New York in the winter is surprising, but not entirely out of the ordinary. According to the New York Natural Heritage Program, “Most Great Blue Herons leave New York for the winter, but some stay where open water persists.”
However, this heron clearly wasn’t doing well, and with temperatures dipping below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, Jaeger could tell he wouldn’t last much longer.
“I knew if we didn’t get him out of there and warmed up and hydrated quickly, he was not going to survive the night,” Jaeger said.
Rescuers draped a towel over the bird, wrapped him up tightly and moved him into a heated crate. The next morning, they took him to Save The Animals Rescue (STAR) Foundation for further care.
Jaeger’s Run Animal Rescue
Jaeger is glad that the homeowner did the right thing by calling an expert.
“Wild birds do not cohabitate with humans, and when it appears that something’s wrong, [it] usually is,” Jaeger said.
Today, thanks to the efforts of so many animal advocates, this heron is safely recovering at STAR Foundation, regaining his strength and looking forward to brighter days ahead.
To help other animals like this heron, you can donate to Jaeger’s Run Animal Rescue. 
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