True Tales and Musings from Captain Justin
April 6, 2024
Pelicans need our help Their habitat has been destroyed and their food sources have been decimated. As a result, they look towards humans for food. Fisherman cleaning their fresh catches are an easy source of food. The birds now flock to discarded fish being tossed out by anglers. Sometimes those discards are baits intended for fish that the birds unknowingly attack assuming it is a food source. The result is a hooked bird. This presents a situation that can become deadly for the bird. Fishermen need to try their best to avoid hooking birds; but if it does unfortunately happen, man up and get the bird unhooked.
Cutting the line and leaving the bird to become further entangled is not ideal.They will suffer a slow and painful death as the line continues strangulation and cuts off their ability to fly or feed. Today we found this guy struggling in the water. He was hooked in the mouth and his foot was wrapped in line almost slicing through it.
What did we do? Use your legs to control their wings. Hold their beak and head as gently as possible to keep them from becoming harmed further. Cut the hook to pull it through, avoiding tearing flesh with the barb. Remove all line and tackle. Be gentle but firm as possible.
Pelicans are a sign of a healthy environment. If we don't protect them, we are not protecting ourselves and future generations.
Pelicans need our help Their habitat has been destroyed and their food sources have been decimated. As a result, they look towards humans for food. Fisherman cleaning their fresh catches are an easy source of food. The birds now flock to discarded fish being tossed out by anglers. Sometimes those discards are baits intended for fish that the birds unknowingly attack assuming it is a food source. The result is a hooked bird. This presents a situation that can become deadly for the bird. Fishermen need to try their best to avoid hooking birds; but if it does unfortunately happen, man up and get the bird unhooked.
Cutting the line and leaving the bird to become further entangled is not ideal.They will suffer a slow and painful death as the line continues strangulation and cuts off their ability to fly or feed. Today we found this guy struggling in the water. He was hooked in the mouth and his foot was wrapped in line almost slicing through it.
What did we do? Use your legs to control their wings. Hold their beak and head as gently as possible to keep them from becoming harmed further. Cut the hook to pull it through, avoiding tearing flesh with the barb. Remove all line and tackle. Be gentle but firm as possible.
Pelicans are a sign of a healthy environment. If we don't protect them, we are not protecting ourselves and future generations.