2 Geese Rescued After Getting Caught In Fishing Line At Whalon Lake

NAPERVILLE, IL — Two Canada geese were rescued after they were found entangled in fishing wire in Whalon Lake.

Volunteers from Chicago Bird Collision Monitors were called to the lake July 26 to rescue the geese after Woodridge resident Rob Lewis saw one of the birds limping. Bird Collision Monitors Amy and Jerry Tavolino were able to save the goose, and then saw another goose near the lake's edge whose foot was in the air after having been caught in fishing wire.

The Tavolinos saved the second bird as well and both geese, which had fishing line embedded in the skin of their legs, were taken to Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn.

“Both of them, their legs looked pretty bad,” Amy Tavolino said. “But I’m hoping there isn’t too much damage.”

Willowbrook Wildlife Center staff say the birds have leg trauma and were emaciated, according to a news release. One of the geese also has a bacterial infection called bumblefoot.

“The incident illustrates why it is imperative that anglers properly dispose of their fishing line,” Forest Preserve’s public information officer Cindy Cain said in a statement.

Cain added, “The line should be cut into pieces less than 6 inches long. The pieces, along with any hooks and tackle, should be placed in the receptacles provided by the Forest Preserve at its fishing lakes or in another covered trash container.”

Visitors to Whalon Lake are urged to contact Chicago Bird Collision Monitors at 773-988-1867 if they spot a bird that has been injured.