I took this photo of a blue-winged teal at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge this past January. I didn't realize until I was editing the photo that the duck had a hook and line wrapped around his head. I don't know if he was able to open his mouth or not. I contacted the refuge and let them know that, as a wildlife rehabber, I have the equipment to capture and transport the duck to the wildlife hospital. Three days later they responded, saying that I was not allowed to enter the water at the refuge. By then, the duck would probably have been long gone anyway. The only good that came of this was that I now have the cell phone number of the one and only person who is allowed to rescue wildlife at the refuge.
If you know anyone who enjoys fishing, please remind them to be very, very careful with their equipment. I know that lines sometimes break, but I hope that people at least attempt to retrieve them.
I found birds at least a couple times a week that had fishing line, hooks and sinkers on them while out photographing the birds at beaches while I lived in Florida. It is very difficult to for the birds because often they are helpless to remove it themselves. I knew the local rescue groups phone number well and the park rangers too so I could get help quickly to the birds tangled in line that I came across. Some survived, some didn't. You can see a cormorant I posted in EPJ that had the hook, line and sinker here.
Many of the locations had PVC tubes with bottoms on them for the fishermen to place the broken line into but judging by the amount of line I'd see (and pick up) on the ground, not many were using that option.
It's not uncommon that I will discover mono-filament line hanging from the beak of a bird when I review photos. Cormorants are a frequent victim. I recently saw a great blue heron with a large tangle of line hanging from one of its legs. It didn't seem to hamper him much, but there's the danger that it would become tangled in vegetation and trap the heron.
Thanks Mia and Buck. I guess it's too much to hope that the duck survived.
Buck, If you ever see an entangled bird that CANNOT fly (and therefore can be caught), please call your local wildlife rehabber. They will pick it up and fix it up. if you don't know who to call please post another reply and I'll find out through the state rehabber's list.
Discussion
3 repliesIf you know anyone who enjoys fishing, please remind them to be very, very careful with their equipment. I know that lines sometimes break, but I hope that people at least attempt to retrieve them.
~Michele
I found birds at least a couple times a week that had fishing line, hooks and sinkers on them while out photographing the birds at beaches while I lived in Florida. It is very difficult to for the birds because often they are helpless to remove it themselves. I knew the local rescue groups phone number well and the park rangers too so I could get help quickly to the birds tangled in line that I came across. Some survived, some didn't. You can see a cormorant I posted in EPJ that had the hook, line and sinker here.
Many of the locations had PVC tubes with bottoms on them for the fishermen to place the broken line into but judging by the amount of line I'd see (and pick up) on the ground, not many were using that option.
I hope your duck survived.
Buck, If you ever see an entangled bird that CANNOT fly (and therefore can be caught), please call your local wildlife rehabber. They will pick it up and fix it up. if you don't know who to call please post another reply and I'll find out through the state rehabber's list.
~Michele