<img class="styles__noscript__2rw2y" src="https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/chicken-rescue_0.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0" srcset="https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/chicken-rescue_0.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 400w, https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/chicken-rescue_0.jpg?v=ap&w=980&h=551&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 800w" > A Key West good Samaritan helped rescue the city's famous free-roaming chickens by wrapping them up in newspaper and putting them in the back of a car. (Jayesh Mani) (Jayesh Mani)

At a Glance A photo showing Key West's famous chickens being rescued from Hurricane Irma has gone viral.

The Facebook post was shared more than 33,000 times.

A Key West good Samaritan helped rescue some of the city's famous free-roaming chickens from the fast approaching Hurricane Irma, placing them in newspaper and putting them in the back of a car. The photo, which showed the chickens being rescued, went viral on Facebook and was shared more than 33,000 times.

"CHICKEN EVACUATION," the viral post from Key West Finest exclaimed. "Gotta love the people in Key West! Thank you to Local Selfie Celeb Jayesh Mani for doing what the rest of us only wished for! #onlyinkeywest"

The feral birds are lovingly dubbed "gypsy chickens" in the city and wander the streets freely. Locals estimate that there's hundreds of these types of chickens in Key West, many of them vulnerable to the severe effects of Irma.

(MORE: Hurricane Irma's Track Forecast: Here's What to Expect in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas )

Amber DeBevec, the owner of Key West's Finest, told weather.com that Mani was being celebrated for his kind act and that the chickens were delivered out of harm's way.

"Jayesh Mani is the man on a mission," DeBevec said. "The chickens have been delivered to another helpful friend in Key West and are safe. Jayesh is lovingly known as the Selfie King of Key West, locals clammed to get a coveted 'Jelfie' with our hometown hero. "

"Please keep us in your prayers as many of our friends have stayed behind to ride out the storm," she added. "We will post updates on our Facebook page as we get them from our local citizens."