Spring has Sprung! but sadly for our birds their trouble has just begun!

Careless thoughtless fishing has caused this horrific injury to this young breeding female. The net was tangled around this girl's leg! Whether it was floating (unlikely with 2 sinkers attached) or she has been caught in it and the fisherman has dragged her ripping the skin off the muscle and then cutting the rope as it has been cut not frayed. A professional wouldn't do that. Her foot was so tightly wrapped it had cut off her circulation, her leg was stripped of skin and feathers and heartbreakingly she had to be euthanized.

 

How could this happen? Both Australian Seabird Rescue team member and vet were in tears as they cut off the net to see if she could be saved. She just sat quietly hoping we could help her. An absolute tragedy which could have been avoided!

Betty

 

Horrific injury to a pelican caused by a fishing net.

Net caught around pelicans leg

A very sad story.

One never knows how the day will run when Australian Seabird Rescue heads out. This day turned out very sad. We don't like telling sad stories but the thoughtless acts of some people has to be related.

We were down the south coast for the 4th time to try and catch a pelican who has a hook and lure beside her eye. Being injured she is being very elusive as it would be affecting her vision.

Whilst coaxing the birds in, this poor little baby (pictured) - barely 6 months old and obviously starving , came in and we caught her. Some thoughtless fisherman has hooked her and just ripped the hook out consequently shredding her pouch beyond repair. Is a 50c hook more valuable than a life! She had to be euthanized. Her injury was probably her first encounter with mankind - she didn't even get a start in life.

I don't believe we are all heartless so if you are out there with your family or friends enjoying fishing, could you all please be careful.

We still have to catch the other bird and in order to buy petrol and medicines we have to raise our own funds. We are all volunteers and we do it because we love it but any help would be appreciated.

Betty

Pelican with badly town pouch.