Officials at St. Vrain State Park in Colorado issued a statement about properly disposing fishing gear after they discovered a fledgling osprey hanging by a line from a nest platform:
“Somebody’s actions killed this bird, and other folks leaving their lines, litter, and illegal chum are causing more animals to get injured or die. You don’t have to take part in the killing if you simply Leave No Trace.” -St. Vrain State Park
A raptor monitor managed to get the bird down but it was already dead having injested several feet of fishing line and hooks. Distressingly this isn’t the first time an instance like this has happened at St. Vrain this summer. Geese, herons, pelicans, and turtles have been killed or severely injured by fishing hooks in the past few months.
Fishing is an incredible way to connect with nature and enjoy state and national parks but anglers must take ever precaution to avoid leaving their gear in the field as it can obviously have detrimental impacts on wildlife.
If you life in Colorado and are interested in how to ethically fish, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers angling outreach programs including clinics, seminars, advice, in-field experiences and educational materials for people of all ages and abilities (more info here).
St. Vrain State Park Statement:
One of our fledgling osprey was found hanging from the nest platform Friday morning by our Raptor Monitor, Kevin, who was able to get it down.
It was already dead having swallowed several feet of fishing line and hooks (likely with a fish on them as osprey don’t go for much else). The lead weight had also been caught in the nesting material, which prevented it from making it to the ground or back into the nest.
We have already had several geese, herons, pelicans, turtles, severely injured or die from fishing hooks this summer. In this instance it also seems as though there was an unattended line with a fish (caught or used as bait).
Somebody’s actions killed this bird, and other folks leaving their lines, litter, and illegal chum are causing more animals to get injured or die. You don’t have to take part in the killing if you simply Leave No Trace.
