Updates On 1st Sep 2013

MAN USED KNIFE TO CUT BLUE HERON FREE

Report by Greg Goodmacher of California

www.HarmonyFund.org

I noticed a great blue heron on the other side of the river while I was cutting bread and cheese for sandwiches. Even though we were less than fifteen yards apart, the still bird did not seem concerned by the presence of my wife and I. We had found a perfect spot along California�s Russian River for a lunchtime picnic, and the presence of this large, beautiful bird increased our enjoyment.

Wanting to see more of the bird, I walked slowly and quietly along the river bank. Amazingly, the bird did not fly away as I was approaching. Then I noticed that it was caught, like a fly in a spider�s web: this web, though, was made of discarded nylon fishing line. The bird had probably been trying to land on a branch when it was unexpectedly caught. Its chest feathers were splattered with blood and dirt. Both of its wings were also restrained by the fishing line.

I returned to our picnic spot, slipped on my swimming clothes, and swam slowly toward the bird with our bread knife. As I got closer, it started to struggle against the imprisoning web of fishing line, but it seemed too exhausted to fight much, and struggling against the fishing line must have been painful. I could see one strand was tightly pressing inward and cutting chest muscle.

The bird was clearly panicked by my approach. It tried vainly to stab me with its four-inch beak, but a fishing line restrained its neck movements. As fast as I could, I cut the fishing lines around the bird. I was frightened that it would attack me after I cut the last restraining strands, but the heron scurried backwards into the bushes and was soon out of sight.

I collected yards of fishing line, which I carried back with me and later put in a trash can. Since that day, I have found abandoned fishing line and fishing hooks on numerous rivers, streams, and beaches. Whenever possible, I collect and properly dispose of the trash. I always wonder what goes through the minds of people who leave such trash behind.

If you are a fisherman, please use fishing line made of natural materials. Together, we can decrease the number of herons, turtles, pigeons, fish, dolphins, and numerous other animal species that are killed by discarded fishing line and hooks.

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