SPENCER � A great blue heron found injured on Paxton Road on Sept. 8 was released in the same area Monday by Animal Control Officer Carol Gaucher, left, and her assistant Joelyn Durgin.

Mrs. Gaucher said the bird was found entangled in fishing line that had become caught in the bark of a tree. In its attempt to break free from the line, the bird developed a hernia, which was repaired at the Wildlife Clinic at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton.

Mrs. Gaucher said she has rescued and released many injured animals during her years in animal control, but the heron was a first for her.

She watched with a smile as the bird emerged on gangly legs from the large crate she'd used to transport it.

The heron paused for a moment, then spread its huge wings and quickly flew away.