July was very busy with a total of 46 rescues undertaken for the month.
8 pelicans, 3 ducks, 10 swans, 10 ibis, several other species and more seagulls than usual. A total of 5 gulls in fact. Each had critical injuries but I can say that all were caught, treated and released with an expectation of enjoying a good life.
It’s difficult to view one rescue as being any more important than another but one of the more memorable captures for July included a muscovie duck reported in distress in a Broad Beach canal.
The bird had a lure hanging from its mouth. Later it was discovered that the top set of treble hooks were embedded in the bird’s tongue. It took me two days to catch the duck and during that time the poor thing had put its foot up trying to dislodge the lure from its mouth and got the lower set of trebles caught on its toes. That meant its tongue and foot were now hooked together.
Every time the bird tried to bring its foot down it pulled the hooks deeper into its tongue. I’ll spare you further gruesome details and say that I caught the bird and immediately released its tongue from its foot. Great relief was evident. It was getting dark and so I rushed the creature to dedicated duck carers in Pacific Pines. That night they transported it to The Australian Bat Clinic in Narrowleaf where emergency surgery was performed to free the bird of all hooks.
I’m happy to report the creature survived and has been lodged in a dedicated duck facility where its now leading a happy life with others of its kind (because it’s a feral species we won’t release it back onto the canal)
A gull caught at the Southport Parklands beach had 5 hooks in it. Not gang hooks … these were 5 separate hooks. One in its mouth, 3 around its head and one in a wing. The bird was in terrible shape and would probably have been euthanized had it been admitted to a vet. I removed all hooks and treated the wounds and released the bird. I’m confident it will overcome the injuries and survive.
At right is another gull that was caught at The Spit. The double entanglement of braid around both legs is not necessarily a life threatening injury, but very painful and in time it would have amputated both of the birds feet just above the ankles. The gull could fly but was barely able to walk. I caught the creature and after freeing it of line it was released. The bird flew away and is no doubt greatly relieved to be rid of that horrible encumbrance.
These are just a few of dozens of capture stories from the month of July.
Thanks to each member of the public who called in an injured birds. A very special thanks to my small band of generous sponsors and donors who make all this possible.