Earlier this month, a young Canada goose was found entangled in fishing line and impaled by a fish hook.
The Wildlife Rescue Association of BC’s trained volunteer team captured and transported the gosling to the wildlife hospital for immediate care.
Upon removal of the fish hook, the medical team discovered that the hook was three-pronged, causing several painful puncture wounds to the gosling's leg.
“Thankfully, the wounds were quite superficial, and we could easily remove the hook so the gosling could start their recovery journey,” said Linda Bakker, co-executive director at Wildlife Rescue. “If the hook hadn’t been removed, it could have caused a lethal infection.”
The gosling’s wound was carefully cleaned and the bird received antibiotics to aid their healing. After nine days in care with other orphaned goslings at Wildlife Rescue, the young bird had made an excellent recovery and was ready for release. The gosling was fostered into a goose family and will continue to grow and develop while being raised by adult geese in the wild.
Every year around spring and summertime, the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC sees an alarming surge in severe wildlife injuries caused by fishing gear.
“Pollution of any kind is incredibly deadly for wildlife. These cases highlight the profound impact human actions can have on urban and other wildlife. Together, we are responsible for the well-being of our local wildlife as we co-exist,” said Bakker.
The organization strongly encourages the public to ‘Leave No Trace’ while enjoying the outdoors, and to pick up any litter they find to dispose of it in designated places — even if it’s not their own. Many local lakes now have specific receptacles for discarded fishing lines.
If you find a bird entangled or injured by discarded fishing gear, contact the Wildlife Rescue’s Support Centre.
