14 Septmeber 2026
It is with profound saddness that I report that the last surviving osplet, of three, died of starvation at the Osprey House Environment Centre in Australia today.
Hope had been bringing in fish for her only surviving chick but her mate, George, would fight her for the fish and take most of them. On occasion one would slip by and she could feed herself and the baby. It was not enough. The little one perished of starvation.
It is not clear to the precise reason for George’s behaviour but I suspect he has injured one or both eyes or has an eye disease and cannot fish for himself.
Here is the announcement from 22 minutes ago:
t is with great sadness that we share that our last remaining chick has passed away.
We know many members of our community have been following this nest closely and will be upset and disappointed by this news.
We understand that events like this can be difficult to witness and often raise questions about whether intervention is possible. While we appreciate the concern and care people have for these birds, wildlife management agencies and nest monitoring programs generally follow a non-intervention approach with wild osprey nests. This means that, except in very specific circumstances involving human-caused threats or immediate risks to public safety, natural processes are allowed to occur without interference.
Ospreys face many challenges throughout the breeding season, and not all chicks survive to fledging. While this can be confronting to observe, chick mortality is a natural part of the life cycle of wild birds and contributes to the balance of healthy wild populations.
Our role is to monitor and share information about the nest while minimising disturbance to the birds. Intervening in natural nesting events can cause additional stress to the adult birds, disrupt nesting behaviour, and may not improve outcomes for the remaining chicks.
We have also received many comments about one of the adult ospreys, with some community members concerned that George may be unwell. While we understand these concerns, there is currently no clear evidence that capturing him would improve outcomes. Capturing and handling wild raptors can cause significant stress. For this reason, intervention is only considered in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear need and a reasonable likelihood of a positive outcome.
We thank our community for the care and interest shown in this osprey family throughout the season. We will continue to monitor the nest and provide updates on Hope and George.
Thank you for helping us appreciate and respect wildlife by allowing nature to take its course.
That’s so sad. 😞 thanks for the update Mary Ann.
Take care
Linda
While I have many things to say about what scientists have said about wildlife, I will say this about this statement:
“Ospreys face many challenges throughout the breeding season, and not all chicks survive to fledging. While this can be confronting to observe, chick mortality is a natural part of the life cycle of wild birds and contributes to the balance of healthy wild populations.”
It is true that challenges are in front of wildlife, it is also true humans face challenges. They may be different for humans, but in human’s reproductive life, they too lose babies. But before human babies pass, we do try to save them. It is this mentality that leads humans to believe they are better than mere wildlife. It is the true reason humans will not interfere with wildlife. There is no reasoning or research that confirms that ‘chick mortality contributes to the balance of healthy wild populations.’ That is all made-up, and it sounds good to people who don’t want to help to begin with.
This is my opinion.
Thank you. You know me well, and I feel the same. Humans have destroyed the lives of wildlife. Why do we need McMansions? What happened to raising children in a 1000 sq ft home? Why build a one-story strip mall? Put houses and businesses and go high – don’t use up the land, etc.
But the ospreys particularly need our help. They are the first to show how vulnerable all of the raptors’ lives will be.
I would close off the lagoon in Port Lincoln, move the boats, and stock it with fish for all the ospreys there. I think we need to do this everywhere. Is it possible to shut off The Chesapeake Bay? Stop the gillnet fishing? and fill it with Menhaden and once the population is established and the eco system is balanced, open it up. I would really intervene!!!!!!!!! I know you would, too.