World Migratory Bird Day and The Tragic Story of a Ring-billed Gull: A Distressing Encounter with Fishing Gear
Wildlife Jewels™ World Migratory Bird Day and a Precious Ring-billed Gull in Solana Beach, California suffering fishing hook injuries, 13 October 2023
On the eve of World Migratory Bird Day, we found ourselves face-to-face with a sad story, a stark reminder of the perils wildlife faces in the face of human activities. Just a day before World Migratory Bird Day, we came across a magnificent Ring-billed Gull who was sadly ensnared by the devastating impact of fishing gear.
As we strolled along the beach, we couldn't help but notice this beautiful Ring-billed Gull that seemed different from the others. It quickly became evident that this beautiful bird was in distress. Our concern deepened when we realized that the gull had a fish hook embedded in its throat and bill.
We knew we had to act quickly to help this precious Gull. Several hours watching him and numerous calls for assistance were made, but sadly, no organization could intervene, as the gull was still capable of flying. With a heavy heart, we stayed by the Gull's side, hoping for an opportunity to rescue it and provide the care it so desperately needed. However, the Gull's ability to take flight made any attempt to catch it impossible.
The sun eventually dipped below the horizon, and the gull flew out to sea, still carrying with it the painful burden of the fishing hook that was bound to end its life in agony.
Wildlife Jewels™ World Migratory Bird Day and a Precious Ring-billed Gull in Solana Beach, California suffering fishing hook injuries, 13 October 2023
About Ring-billed Gulls:
They are gorgeous Gulls that can live for up to 30 years or more, with a maximum age of 49 years recorded for the herring gull. They are super intelligent:
Recent research has shown that gulls have the behavioral flexibility to not only learn from each other but they also take cues from humans. Researchers at the University of Sussex studied how gulls in Brighton can learn and apply the knowledge of what humans are interested in, which is known as ‘stimulus enhancement’. Source: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/
Stay tuned as we will be sharing more insights soon about the incredible Herring Gull.
The Grim Reality of Fishing Gear:
This sad story highlights the harsh reality about the impact of fishing gear on our wildlife. Whether it's as a result of commercial fishing or so-called recreational fishing, the consequences are devastating for wildlife. Fishing hooks, lines, and other equipment lead to severe injuries and death for countless numbers of birds and marine life.
When a bird ingests a fishing hook, it can lodge into various parts of its body, causing internal bleeding, regurgitation of food, tissue damage, and eventual death. Furthermore, hooks made of lead can induce severe toxicity in birds, a condition known as lead poisoning. Despite the alarming evidence of the harm caused to wildlife, recreational fishing remains a popular pastime, with fishing equipment readily available, even for children, for as little as $40.
A Question to Ask:
This raises critical questions about the ethics of recreational fishing: How can this practice persist when the horrifying consequences on wildlife are abundantly clear?
On this World Migratory Bird Day, let us remember this precious Ring-billed Gull and countless other wildlife affected by the fishing industry. It is imperative that we raise awareness about the devastating impact of fishing gear on wildlife. It's a reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our planet's precious creatures and advocating for responsible and sustainable practices.
“Among fishing methods, longlines with hundreds or even thousands or baited hooks kill at least 320,000 seabirds yearly. Gillnets, which can stretch for a mile in length, take at least 400,000.” https://abcbirds.org/
Wildlife Jewels™ World Migratory Bird Day and a Precious Ring-billed Gull in Solana Beach, California suffering fishing hook injuries, 13 October 2023