A WOLLY-NECKED stork has died after getting tangled in fishing line. Local resident and member of the Umgeni Estuary Conservancy, Margaret Burger, said she was shocked and horrified when she spotted the majestic bird hanging face down and lifeless about 15 meters above the ground in a Eucalyptus tree on her property.
The tragedy has highlighted the effect and impact of fishing line on wildlife on the uMgeni River and the greater surrounds. Discarded fishing line is listed number 8 in the top 10 pollutants on beaches and river systems and is the most problematic of pollutants.
“Between seven and nine of the birds nest in the Eucalyptus at night, they use them as look out points. We were horrified to discover how the stork must have suffered because when my husband zoomed in on the bird, we noticed its feet were tangled in a web of yellow fishing line.
“The line had then got caught on a protrusion of one of the branches in the tree. This goes deeper than the problem of discarded fishing line. It points to the bigger picture of the disrespect for the environment,” Burger said.
She added the rest of the flock had stood watch over the body of the stork on the first night.
Jo Giyane, a bird guide from Durban Green Corridor said this sort of tragedy was not uncommon.
“When I first saw the bird, it took me by surprise. I’ve seen a number of Ibis who have also died as a result of fishing line entanglement. Animals entangled in fishing line can suffer from a variety of problems; the restricted ability to move can lead to drowning or starvation, vulnerability to predators, infections and even limb amputation as the animal struggles against the line.
“In this case I suspect the stork died of exhaustion. He must of used up a lot of energy to try and free himself. He definitely suffered. These storks are generally found on the North Bank of the uMgeni river and they eat fish, amphibians and tiny crabs,” he said.
Giyane said there are more than 35 bird species around that flock to the uMgeni River everyday who were also at risk.
“Fishermen don’t realise how much damage fishing line does to the environment and the animals. Discarded or lost fishing line remains in the aquatic environment for extended periods where it entangles injures and kills fish, birds and marine mammals horribly, unnecessarily and repeatedly,” he added.
