'Careless' anglers warned as goose impaled on old fish hook
The RSPCA officers and Swan Watch were forced to step in when the struggling Canada goose was spotted on the lake at West Smethwick Park
'Careless' anglers have been reminded of the 'terrible toll' their hobby can have on wildlife after a goose became impaled on an old fishing hook.
The RSPCA officers and Swan Watch were forced to step in when the struggling Canada goose was spotted on the lake at West Smethwick Park.
The hook was embedded in the goose's neck and was caught up in its beak, pulling her head downwards and stopping her from feeding or moving properly.
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Charlotte Holder, one of the RSPCA's animal rescue officers, went to the bird's aid on April 14.
She said: “Working with Inspector Boris Lasserre, who is specially trained in water rescues, and Ian Carrol from Swan Watch, we were able to encourage the bird to move onto dry land where we managed to restrain her for examination.
“We could then remove the hook and line from her neck and beak. Thankfully, her wounds were superficial, so we released her back into the wild where she belongs.”
But she added: “Carelessly discarded fishing line, hooks and netting can have a terrible toll on animals, and water birds like the goose at this lake are particularly vulnerable.
"The majority of anglers are responsible and do dispose of these items properly, but it’s frustrating that those who don’t may not realise the danger they pose.”
The RSPCA has urged fishing enthusiasts to take extra care to clean up behind them, and encouraged people to follow the Angling Trust's Take 5 campaign and make use of recycling schemes to dispose of their waste tackle safely.
The animal welfare charity said: "It only takes one piece of snagged line to get caught up in a tree or dropped near the water to endanger the life of an animal.
"As animals are now facing some of the biggest challenges ever, from climate change to habitat loss and litter, the RSPCA is encouraging everyone to help create a better world for animals.
"So if members of the public see discarded litter - including old fishing litter - they are being urged to pick it up safely and put it in the bin, remembering to wash their hands after. Those actions could save an animal’s life."