Alarming trend: Increase in birds entangled in fishing gear from Metro Vancouver lakes
The Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C. is sounding the alarm about a rapid rise in the number of calls it's getting for birds entangled in fishing gear.
“So there’s a lot of things that are left behind unintentionally or forgotten around these smaller lakes in (the) Metro Vancouver area that can be harmful for wildlife,” said the group’s executive director Linda Bakker.
In the past two weeks, the Burnaby-based organization received seven reports of birds with fishing line tangled around their legs and hooks through their beaks. Rescue staff and volunteers have managed to capture and treat three of them.
“When a bird is still flighted, it’s very difficult to grab them or to rescue them. So it involves a lot of planning. We have excellent, trained rescue teams that will go out,” said Bakker. “Usually you only have one shot, one chance to grab an animal, because then they will be spooked.”
The increase in entangled bird calls has pushed the small non-profit to its limits. “It definitely puts pressure on our resources,” said Bakker.
So the rescue is asking anyone fishing on lakes and rivers in Metro Vancouver to be extra careful with lines, lures and hooks.
“At a lot of lakes, it really easy to dispose of your fishing line, there are special bins set up. So if you can, please use that,” Bakker said. “If it does wash up on the shore or you notice it somewhere, please pick it up and take it out, even if not yours.”
And if people see birds that have become entangled, she urges them to call the Wildlife Rescue Association.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Killer who stabbed victim 'at least 52 times' dies in B.C. prison
A 72-year-old inmate serving a life sentence for a brutal murder that happened in Chilliwack in 2016 has died, according to the Correctional Service of Canada.
Israeli airstrikes hit the southern suburbs of Beirut after another strike destroyed buildings
The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut on Friday in a series of massive explosions that targeted the leader of the militant group and levelled multiple high-rise apartment buildings.
American woman gets SUV stuck in elevator bay at B.C. casino
A U.S. driver somehow squeezed her vehicle through a parkade hallway at a Metro Vancouver casino Thursday, before getting stuck at an elevator bank.
Hurricane Helene kills at least 44 and cuts a swath of destruction across the Southeast
Hurricane Helene left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the southeastern U.S. on Friday, killing at least 44 people, snapping towering oaks like twigs and tearing apart homes as rescue crews launched desperate missions to save people from floodwaters.
After decades-long search, northern Ontario man finds vintage vehicle in Larder Lake
A tale about a taxicab hauling gold and sinking through the ice on Larder Lake, Ont., in December 1937 has captivated a man from that town for decades.
2 people caught illegally crossing the International Railroad Bridge into the U.S.: border officials
Two Italian citizens have been apprehended after allegedly illegally crossing over the International Railroad Bridge to the United States.
Former military reservist sentenced for shotgun video calling Liberal MP a 'communist agent' for China
A former Canadian military reservist has been sentenced to house arrest after posting a video of himself firing a shotgun at a picture of a member of Parliament whom he accused of being a 'communist agent' for China.
P.E.I. shellfish festival gastrointestinal illness outbreak largest in province's history: health officer
More than 550 symptomatic people responded to an online questionnaire about a gastrointestinal illness at a Prince Edward Island shellfish festival last weekend.
Family of man who died in incident involving Calgary police issues statement
The family of Jon Wells, a man who died in an incident involving Calgary police earlier this month, say they are seeking time to grieve their loss.