• Williamstown, Altona, Laverton Star

By Alesha Capone

9th February 2010 11:05:27 AM

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OVER 100 wild birds in Hobsons Bay have to be euthanased due to fatal injuries from fishing gear and dog attacks every year, according to a volunteer wildlife rescuer.

President of 24-hour emergency service Western Animal Rescue (WAR) Mandy Hall said the issue is “a very big problem in the municipality”.

The Altona resident receives at least two calls every week about swans, pelicans, ducks and other birds trapped or injured by fishing lines and hooks.

Ms Hall said the Warmies in Newport and Cherry Lakes, Altona were areas she attended most frequently.

Recently, Ms Hall, another WAR volunteer and Hobsons Bay City Council rangers rescued a female swan caught in fishing lines at Cherry Lakes, which had entrapped her in reeds for four days, according to a fisherman.

Ms Hall said the swan’s male partner and three cygnets were hovering nearby during their mother’s rescue operation.

“Unfortunately she had to be euthanased,” Ms Hall said.

“Swans mate for life, to walk away and leave one behind without its partner, especially when you know they’re probably not coming back, is heart-wrenching.”

Ms Hall said if birds swallowed discarded fishing lines and hooks, they could suffer internal bleeding and infections, while getting them caught in beaks means starvation.

“Also, a lot of them often get hooked while people are fishing and a lot of people just cut the line, and the animal swims away with fishing line or hook caught in them,” Ms Hall said.

Her advice in these situations is to call WAR, reel the bird in slowly, then contain the creature and remove the hook if possible.

Ms Hall appealed for people to take their rubbish home and not feed birds.

A state-wide wild-life line is 1300 223 427 and WAR can be reached on 0421 471 007.

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