By Samantha Wohlfeil
BLAINE – A Washington State Patrol trooper saved a seagull sitting on the center line of Interstate 5 from an unpleasant fate Monday, July 30.
The gull had a broken wing and was unable to leave the freeway about 1/4 mile south of the U.S.-Canadian border.
Trooper Bart Maupin rescued the bird and put it in the back of his patrol car.
While en route to the Northwest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Deming, Maupin told the bird to move to the shoulder or nearest branch next time to avoid getting hit.
The bird got a taste of a day in the life of the state patrol when Maupin had to interrupt their trip to the wildlife center to assist another trooper with locating a driver who ran during an arrest. The gull got to enjoy the view from the back of the patrol car while Maupin and the trooper located the suspect.
It’s unknown how long it will take for the wing to heal.
Below, a picture of Maupin and his new feathered friend:
Waste of taxpayer money on a rat with wings.
Good for him! Im glad we have cops with compassion for all living things.
Seagulls serve a purpose on this planet even though they arent taxpayers Ray. Maybe you should move out of Birch Bay.
What a great story! The State Patrol should change their motto, “We are about saving lives.”
Bless you Trooper Bart Maupin. Your kindness will not go unnoticed. A life is a life no matter how small.
Should’ve ran it over instead.
I am glad that someone out there still has a heart for all living things. It seems like more and more people are becoming abusive of our animal partners in this life.
Thank You. I know you Troopers do this for all wildlife, I’ve seen it before…
Great job Trooper Maupin!!!!
I’m sure the gull left a “thank you” present in the back of his patrol car!
As UCLA legendary Coach John Wooden observed:
“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”
Well done, Mr. Maupin.
…well done, and not unexpected…
What a great story! Thanks for publishing!
It’s always nice to hear some good news!
Thank you Bart Maupin.
A reverence for all life is an important concept.
“Reverence for Life states that the only thing we are really sure of is that we live and want to go on living. This is something that we share with everything else that lives, from elephants to blades of grass—and, of course, every human being. So we are brothers and sisters to all living things, and owe to all of them the same care and respect, that we wish for ourselves.”
Albert Schweitzer
Love the story
Bart, you are an awesome guy!
Bart, you’re awesome, as always! Thanks so much for being such a great guy. You were there for me when I needed you and now this little guy has a second chance at life because of you. Well done, sir.
Thank you Trooper Bart Maupin. Your compassion reflects well on State Troopers.
My dad was a police officer and I remember back in the day taking injured birds to the bird lady, caring for a stray dog etc… That my dad felt his job was to care for all life, including the neighborhood ducks.