Suffering Egret Is Reminder To Keep Summer Fun Clean

GRAPEVINE, TX — Summertime, for many, means it's time to head outside and participate in some of America's great pastimes. For some, it's grilling up meat to share with family and friends; for others, it's kayaking or tubing. But in the case of the wounded egret, it was fishing that nearly killed it.

The snowy egret was found injured and choking on a fishing line it swallowed at Lake Grapevine. And although it was treated by a veterinarian and later released, many aren't so lucky.

Although no exact numbers are available, the Chicago Audubon Society estimates thousands of birds and other animals are injured or killed by becoming ensnared in stray fishing line, hooks and tackle each year.

Not only do animals often swallow the line, which leads to choking, but many are also injured when their legs or wings become tangled in the stuff. In addition, hooks caught in a bird's beak can lead to pain so severe that the bird begins to starve.

The egret in question nearly suffered the same fate. Christina Valentine, Animal Services Manager for the City of Grapevine told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram someone saw the bird struggling and opted to bring it in to Animal Services on May 31.

"We tend to see more injured wildlife during the summer," Valentine told the newspaper. "There are more people at the parks and lakes, they litter more, the animals are more active and there are more people to spot injured animals."

These types of injuries can, however, be avoided. The Chicago Audubon society recommends cutting discarded fishing line into pieces less than six inches long. The line, along with other hooks and tackle, should be disposed of in approved containers that do not pose a threat to wildlife.

Fishermen should also consider switching to biodegradable fishing line

Support the use of biodegradable fishing line that does not have an indefinite life span in the environment.

Egrets, along with owls, hawks, eagles and other non-game birds and songbirds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which makes it illegal to kill, possess, pick up or remove these birds from their nests. Additionally, possessing or selling their feathers, or creating arts or crafts with their feathers, is illegal under the act.

Grapevine Police issued a reminder to park-goers and other outdoorsy types: "please encourage friends to clean up after themselves when visiting our parks and lake."

Lead image via Shutterstock