Seabirds count cost of baited hooks, litter on Amanzimtoti beaches

THOSE who are environmentally-conscious are devastated at the number of cormorants that have had to be euthanased after they ingested baited hooks.

Conservationists have had to deal with such cases on a near-daily basis, due to human ignorance and selfishness.

“A friend who works in conservation had the task of euthanasing the suffering birds, as they were too far gone to be saved,” said Carol Lane. “However, there was one with a hook in its wing which was treated and successfully released.”

While these exact cormorants aren’t found along the South Coast, counts of seabirds and other marine life that suffer due to ingested litter are high.

One needn’t look far to find cases of cruelty inflicted on innocent creatures as the result of beach users’ ignorance and downright laziness. Whether through those who leave behind litter after a day on the beach or careless fishermen who don’t make the trip to the bin to throw away their tangled lines, hooks and bait, these seabirds endure endless suffering and pain as a result.

At Boardwalk Beach, the strip between Winklespruit and Illovo, concrete bins which were recently installed were seen as a step in the right direction. However, the wisdom of their placement at the beach entrance and not the high water mark, was questioned.

As an avid horse rider, Carol often finds herself and the rest of the local riding group trotting along a devastatingly-littered shoreline.

“What really was worrying was there were folded up, used baby nappies along the stretch,” said Carol. “It was sad that tourists saw this. Especially as about 80% of the riders who make use of this awesome tourist attraction are either first-time riders or foreigners.”

Another active member of the community, Felicity McMillan questioned the upkeep of the fishing line and hook pipes that have been placed at local beaches.

“Most of them are filled with sand or trash and one at the steps up to Baggies is only just peeping out above the sand,” she explained. “Whoever had the brilliant idea of introducing these so that fishermen can dispose of line and hooks, should see that they are at least emptied and made useable once again.”

Seabirds are not the only wildlife affected. Local vets deal with many cases of cats and dogs which have ingested baited hooks and line – some of which were treatable, while others not.

“We have had to deal with less cases of dogs with hooks in their lips and paws over the years, but it still happens,” said sister Evashnee, a veterinary nurse at Doonside Veterinary Hospital.

“I think the numbers have decreased over the years because pet owners are more cautious, and don’t allow their dogs to scratch in garbage and watch them more closely at the beach. However, with the silly season upon us we are bound to deal with many cases as there’s more people on the beach and more pet owners walking their dogs.”

Read also: ‘Don’t keep wild birds as pets’, warns CROW bird enthusiast

If you find a bird in distress or injured, contact CROW on 031-469-0583 or Michelle Pearson of Second Chance Avian Rescue (S.C.A.R.) on 083-246-6765.

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