Fishing Line vs Life Line

It is a sad and frustrating fact that many of the animals we see at Stapeley have suffered injury due to human activity. Last night I experienced this harsh reality first hand when a young swan was admitted after swallowing a fishing hook.

The hook itself was tiny, but the damage was enormous. The fishing line had become so badly embedded around the swans tongue, it had very nearly severed it completely. The fishing line could be felt through the skin of the swans neck, and had prevented it from being able to eat for what must have been weeks. Emaciated and having suffered enough, and after several attempts to cut free the line, it was decided the swan should be put to sleep...the simple act of disposing fishing paraphernalia responsibly would have prevented such a tragic incident occurring.


Hopefully our new education programme can help to instill a greater understanding, appreciation and responsibility for the impact we ‘as human’s have’ on our wildlife through our activities.

  

These beautiful individuals at Stapeley (below) have been more fortunate and are being prepared for release...I just wish we could save them all.

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange's Summer Wildlife Assistant Position