Pelicans In Danger From Hooks And Lines
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday June 30, 1993
Pelicans living along the Central Coast are under threat from fishing hooks and lines.
Such injuries have long been a problem, but the Central Coast's Wildlife, Animal Rescue and Care Society (ARC) fears they are increasing.
An ARC spokeswoman, Ms Vali Audet , said it was common to see pelicans with hooks in their bills or throats, or with fishing line wrapped around wings or legs. If infection or gangrene was too advanced, the birds were destroyed.
One bird's wing had been so severely damaged by a fishing line that it had to be amputated.
Ms Audet said some anglers dumped scrap pieces of line instead of putting them in bins.
There had been reports of people deliberately trying to injure the birds with fish hooks.
ARC members spent a lot of time trying to catch the pelicans to treat them
Ms Debbie Breen, who does much of the ARC rescue and care work, said catching a pelican was a frustrating job. "You have to win their trust with food and grab them at the right moment, being careful to avoid injuring the bird or yourself," she said. "But they quickly become very wary and cunning, and it is difficult to get within grabbing range."
Ms Audet said the ARC was enlisting the help of local businesses and tourism offices to educate people about the problem.
Some young men at Saratoga had recently tied fishing lines around the necks of wild ducks, then twirled them in the air until the necks were severed -"just for the hell of it".
Anyone seeing injured birds or animals can contact ARC members on (043) 65 1121 for treatment 24 hours a day.
© 1993 Sydney Morning Herald
Share This