It's no holiday for our wildlife
Holiday time is always "peak impact time" on our wildlife whether native or not.
This female rock dove is a typical example of the damage done by "senselessly discarded fishing line".
She was observed sitting alone for an inordinate time at the Lions Park in Woy Woy which is a sure sign that she had compromised feet or legs.
I purposefully disturbed her so that I could determine her plight.
She was typical of a bird that had had both feet hobbled with fishing line with amputated toes but line still deeply embedded above one foot.
A stitch cutter/seam ripper was employed to delicately cut the line in a number of locations in order to prevent severing blood supply to her foot.
Patience is always needed in order to prevent irreparable damage.
Once the line was strategically severed and removed, and the area massaged gently to promote blood flow she stood up tentatively on that foot unlike when I first saw her in distress, and flew off with function and pain relief likely within a couple of days
Early reporting of any type of bird entangled in fishing line or other twine can mean life or death.
Please call Pelican Care and Education Inc on 0458 975 498 for advice and a response.
SOURCE:
Email, 4 Jan 2024
Wendy Gillespie, Woy Woy