SQUIRREL SAVED: BLOW DART GETS REMOVED FOLLOWING A SUCCESSFUL RESCUE

a group of people in a room with a cat on a towel
From left, vet technician Tanya Manchester, veterinarian Michael Claudio and Bradley Bryan with a female squirrel following a successful surgery on Aug. 10 to remove a blow dart from her body. CONTRIBUTED

A squirrel is roaming Islamorada dart-free thanks to the work of several local community members. 

More than a week ago, village resident Glenda Soler spotted the squirrel at her home, located behind Centennial Bank at MM 81, oceanside, with a metal dart through its body. She not only pleaded for answers as to the perpetrator, but she also initiated a rescue effort to retrieve and aid the furry animal.

On Aug. 10, the darted squirrel was successfully captured with help from sheriff’s deputy Nelson Sanchez and Brad Bryan, of Maritime Mobile Welding. The squirrel, a female, was transported to Mobile Pet Doctors and veterinarian Michael Claudio and vet tech Tanya Manchester. A procedure to remove the blow dart was successful. 

“Dr. Claudio and his vet tech Tanya did an amazing surgery on this little female squirrel,” Soler said. “It was great to see people come together.”

The squirrel was released and ran up a papaya tree on Aug. 11. The following day, Soler said she saw the squirrel moving well and eating. 

“She’s really doing well. It’s so beautiful to see her without the blow dart,” she said. 

With the squirrel successfully treated, Soler said she’ll now be pushing for even stronger laws on using blow darts in populated residential areas like her neighborhood. State law currently prohibits blow darts from being used on animals.

a pair of scissors and an orange cone on a table
A female squirrel was struck by this blow dart in early August. Law enforcement is seeking information as to who shot the animal. CONTRIBUTED

“What if it goes on to hit someone or a child?” she said.  

Anyone with information on who shot the squirrel can call the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 or the sheriff’s office at 305-853-3211. 

Jim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy is one of the many who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures in Western New York. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 5-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club. When he's not working, he's busy chasing his son, Lucas, around the house and enjoying time with family.