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& Rehabilitation to Assist with Monofilament Line Removal
 For
Immediate Release
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation to Assist
with Monofilament Line Removal
Press Release by Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation
San Antonio, TX – Thursday, March 20,
2008 – Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation (WRR) employees
will work alongside Blanco State Park Employees and volunteers
to assist in a major clean up of monofilament fishing line
along the Blanco River on April 5, 2008. Monofilament line
has caused major injuries to geese, ducks, shorebirds and
other animals throughout the country. These animals become
entangled in fishing line left behind by careless fishermen
and women which becomes imbedded in their skin so deeply that
it sometimes causes the loss of limbs or life. Other animals
may ingest the line or attempt to use the line for nesting
material, presenting danger to their young.
Monofilament line is often clear and invisible
to the animals who brush against it and become entangled.
The line is non-biodegradable and can last up to 600 years
in the environment causing danger over long time periods.
WRR has assisted two geese from Blanco State Park at the request
of Director Michael Young. Both of these animals had monofilament
line so embedded in their legs that our veterinary staff was
needed to remove the line and nurse these beautiful birds
back to a healthy state. A third goose had already lost part
of her leg in a previous incident.
"Wildlife Rescue is pleased to participate
in this clean up because the park is addressing the problem
comprehensively," said Don Elroy, Advocacy & Education
Coordinator for WRR. "Recycling containers for monofilament
line are being added within the park along with an educational
program for park visitors on the dangers to these animals."
"No wild animal should suffer for our inconsiderate and
careless attitude toward our environment," Elroy added.
The cleanup is scheduled for April 5, 2008,
at Blanco State Park, Park Rd. 23, Blanco, TX. Volunteers
wanting to participate should contact WRR or Blanco State
Park.
Facts
| • |
Monofilament line ends up in the water
when someone's hook gets snagged on something underwater
and the line breaks when pulled. |
| • |
Fishing lines get caught in trees and
break off there. Even fishing line that is thrown in
the garbage may wind up back in the environment by blowing
out of the garbage can or landfill and may be taken
out by birds or animals. |
| • |
Most fishing line today is made of
monofilament — a single-strand, strong, flexible
plastic that is clear or tinted blue, pink or green. |
| • |
Once entangled, animals may become
injured, drown, become strangled, or starve to death.
Many animals also ingest fishing line. |
| • |
Monofilament that is collected from
recycling bins is cleaned of hooks, leaders, weights,
and trash by volunteers. A company in Iowa melts the
line down into raw plastic pellets that can be made
into other plastic products. No new monofilament line
is created from this recycled material. |
About Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation (WRR)
(www.wildlife-rescue.org)
was founded in 1977 in San Antonio by Lynn Cuny. Our mission
is to provide rescue, rehabilitation, and release of orphaned,
injured, and displaced wildlife, and provide sanctuary with
dignity for non-releasable and non-native wild animals who
have been the victims of the exotic pet trade, rescued from
roadside zoos, or used in research. Today WRR volunteers and
staff annually receive 5,000–6,000 animals at our 187-acre
sanctuary outside Kendalia, Texas. Over 600 wild and farmed
animals make their permanent home at WRR.
Contact Information
Don Elroy, Advocacy & Education Coordinator
Phone: (830) 336-2725 x304
E-mail: don@wildlife-rescue.org
Website: www.wildlife-rescue.org
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Inc.
P.O. Box 369
Kendalia, TX 78027
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