Animal welfare organisations and Florida Lake lovers seek urgent intervention from the municipality after more dead birds were found hanging on fishing line in a tree.
All those concerned are pointing fingers at careless, uneducated anglers who are not affiliated to the local angling club.
Florida Lake Canoe Club (FLCC) spokesperson Jennie Dallas explains that it was during a training session with youngsters on Wednesday afternoon that she made the disturbing discovery when approaching the island on the lake.
“As usual the birds become tangled in fishing line (gut). Unable to swim properly they retreat to a safe place – often the high branches in a tree on the island. Unfortunately, the gut lines get tangled in the branch where they perch so they hang themselves to death when trying to take off, unable to free themselves,” Dallas says.
But this is not the first time, according to Dallas.
“It’s a very common occurrence, but something needs to be done. We have reported it to agencies such as the Community Led Animal Welfare (Claw) and their partners, Freene, who often visit the lake to deal with these situations,” Dallas says.
Claw confirmed they have dealt with this issue on several occasions and constantly rescue either tangled ducks or birds.
“It’s absolutely shocking and the lake has become an unpleasant area,” Claw spokesperson Cora Bailey says.
“The suffering these animals go through is just horrible. I can’t believe that the people responsible can see the fun in this. While we can contribute only by saving these animals, we cannot enforce stricter rules or policing. City Parks will have to put their foot down.”
With all the fingers pointing at anglers, Roodepoort Angling Club chairman John Guerini gave his word that club members were not at fault.
“We do not know who it is but it’s not any club members. We have a strict protocol to follow when fishing here at the lake and the guys stick to it, or face a hearing. We as a club want animals here and we obey the rules and use the correct stuff,” he says. Guerini believes the problem is that non-affiliated club members, just the average Joe with a fishing rod and bait comes to the lake and then fish.
“The area on the island is a non-fishing zone. They clearly do not make use of the correct equipment and do not take nature into consideration at all.”
Guerini indicates that a seminar will be held soon for those not up to date with the latest equipment and correct methods on how to fish at the lake. He also urges non-affiliated members to join the club.
“If you do not belong to an angling club you should not be fishing here. Must everything always be regulated because some people have no common sense?
“Council as well as City Park should introduce laws to protect our wildlife,” Dallas believes the solution to be.
• Details: Jenny on 082 857 8571 or John on 082 492 1615.
