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Wisconsin couple saves stranded loons from ice-covered lakes

Kevin and Linda Grenzer have used a hovercraft for several years to help save loons throughout Wisconsin.

On a cold November morning, it's a sight no loon lover wants to see.

"We have a baby loon that cannot get off the lake," said a resident living near Winslow Lake in Wisconsin.

Linda Grenzer and husband Kevin were called to the lake to rescue the stranded loon.

"This loon is not circling to get off the trees and lands back in the water or the ice," said Linda.

Getting to the loon on a icy lake can be tricky.

"We need the hovercraft," Linda called to her husband Kevin.

They use a hovercraft purchased from a Michigan Sheriff's Office to attempt to catch the loon before the predators do.

"Overhead there's an eagle flying around," said one onlooker.

"Eagles are opportunists and when they see a small hole, loons get scared they start calling and alerts the eagles and they will come in for a free meal and loons are just too valuable to let die," said Kevin Grenzer.

Since 2015 Linda and Kevin have rescued stranded loons on ice covered Wisconsin lakes

They saved two loons from the ice already in November. Both were taken to the Raptor Education Group in Antigo for rehab.

One of those loons in particular was hurt badly found frozen to a lake with a lure hooked to her leg.

"It wouldn't have made it. There was no escape. It was stuck frozen to the ice by that lure," said Linda.

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Linda and Kevin broke the ice to rescue it.

Both loons will be flown down to the Gulf of Mexico where they would have originally migrated to.

As for the rescue out on Winslow Lake, it was unsuccessful.

There's just way too much open water. 

But they planned to be back out as the rescuers will always be around to answer each loons call.

"Every bird counts. Like I said we're saving the world one loon at a time," said Kevin.

Sure enough, they returned to Winslow Lake and saved the loon. 

It was taken to the Raptor Education Group. 

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