“I’m happy she wanted help …”
Published on July 3, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Guests of the dolphin tour boat company Sea Screamer expect to see wild animals thriving in the Gulf waters off Panama City Beach, Florida. The other day, however, they came across one fighting for her life.
While cruising the waters some distance from shore, staff aboard the Sea Screamer vessel noticed an animal struggling in the water. Moving in closer, they realized it was an osprey — a large bird of prey — who, for an unknown reason, appeared unable to fly.
Crewmember Michael Hughes readied a net to scoop her up. But before he could, the osprey did something unexpected. Much to everyone’s surprise, she swam toward him and grabbed onto the net herself.
That’s when the Hughes learned the truth behind the osprey’s troubles:
“It was amazing that she actually came to me for help,” Hughes told The Dodo. “I was very surprised.”
Once the osprey was aboard the boat, Hughes discovered that her wing was hopelessly wrapped in a fishing line.
After cutting away the fishing line, the crew gave the osprey time to rest and dry her wings — and then in a flash, she took to the sky.
“I am happy she seemed to recover quickly and was on her way,” Hughes said. “I’m happy she wanted help and didn’t use those giant claws on me.”
The guests aboard the boat that day got to witness more than just marine animals at home in the wild. They saw heroism in action.
“It feels amazing to know that our crew is out there watching so closely for situations like this,” a spokesperson for Sea Screamer told The Dodo. “They took the time out of their cruise to save a life. Hopefully, it inspires more people to slow down and do the right thing when the time comes.”