Common sense, a woodpecker, and an 11-year-old girl
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
A little girl rescued a baby woodpecker from being injured by her cat in Virginia.
But under the Federal Migratory Bird Act, it is a crime to take or transport a woodpecker. So not letting the woodpecker die resulted in a federal employee and a state trooper spending their time chasing after an 11-year-old girl and her mother.
That is, until another government employee with some common sense and an eye for a public relations nightmare in the making put a stop to things.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
Dear reader,
Your voice matters. And we want to hear it.
Will you help shape the future of Minnesota Public Radio by taking our short Listener Survey?
It only takes a few minutes, and your input helps us serve you better—whether it’s news, culture, or the conversations that matter most to Minnesotans.
