Dozens of Injured Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets Released

(July 18, 2022)

The Houston SPCA’s Wildlife Center of Texas team released 28 juvenile great egrets and blue herons into the wild earlier this month after they were found with broken wings, mangled legs, and internal injuries when their nesting area in Cypress had been destroyed on May 13.

The Houston SPCA Wildlife Center of Texas team rescued the 71 vulnerable baby birds, including several who were found alive inside a trash bag that also contained several dead birds.

The remaining injured migratory birds are in the care of the Houston SPCA Wildlife Center of Texas’ veterinarians and expert wildlife staff where they will remain until they can be released back to the wild.

Migratory birds like egrets and herons are protected by state law and federally under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). More than 1,000 species are protected under the MBTA, and killing, injuring, or capturing them is unlawful.

Each year, the Houston SPCA’s Wildlife Center of Texas cares for more than 12,000 native wild animals, comprising more than 360 species at the Campus for All Animals at 7007 Old Katy Road in Houston. You can learn how to care for native species in your area here.

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