Amelia’s stomach showing two ganged hooks.
Amelia is a young female Australian Pelican who owes her life to the residence and rescuers of the Goolwa region.
Local residence noticed fishing line wrapped around her wing and contacted Wildlife Welfare Organisation Inc. (WWO) who promptly rescued the bird and removed the external fishing entanglements. Unfortunately whilst disentangling her they found fishing line descending into her mouth and subsequently her stomach; this was unable to be dislodged.
WWO contacted AMWRRO and the following morning the bird was transported to Torrens Island for treatment. On further investigation it was confirmed that Amelia had come in contact with active fishing interactions or unattended set lines (both of which are lethal to wildlife) and was subsequently dealt a death sentence.
A Slow Painful Death
Two huge hooks now embedded in her stomach, one perforating her mucosa (stomach lining) and required immediate removal before the hook opened up her stomach completely – infecting her entire gastrointestinal tract and of which leads to an excruciating painful and very slow death.
The procedure lasted approximately 35 minutes and was a great success. Amelia is now on the road to recovery and should be ready for release within the next few weeks.
Special thanks to those Goolwa residences for keeping an eye on their local wildlife and for raising the alarm when finding a problem; and to WWO for their prompt response and abilities to conduct such a great rescue.
For information about responsible fishing tips please click here.
