Wildlife rescue volunteers have actually knocked anglers after seeing a lot of birds hurt by fishing deal with on Milton Keynes lakes.
Their outburst follows the latest in a line of terrible saves, where a swan on Furzton Lake was caught with line connected to a heavy bait bomb covered round its leg .
The line captured on the bank and as the bird had a hard time to totally free itself, it tightened up and cut deeply into the leg, state rescuers.
Other cases consist of “numerous” swans with fishing hooks embedded in their tongues, avoiding them from feeding and triggering severe discomfort and pain,
Allie Short, who belongs to MK Swan Rescue, said: “One bird we took to Tiggywinkles recently had not only swallowed a hook but, as there was so much line still fixed to the swallowed hook, it also had line wrapped around both legs and its body.
“Another swan recently had a hook through its webbing with a long line attached which was caught around the leg of a second swan, so that bird also needed to be released.”
A poor cygnet hatched this year was discovered covered so severely in line that the blood supply was cut off to the wing, which needed to be cut off.
“This bird will now live out its life in captivity as a result of this completely avoidable injury,” said Allie.
“I understand most of anglers are accountable, however unfortunately there are a couple of who are meaningless and trigger this kind of concern, which regrettably offers all anglers a bad name.
“The birds are just trying to live. They don’t know any better, they don’t understand the risks and they can’t see the invisible lines trailing. Surely the responsibility here is on the humans who are aware and should have common sense?
“The birds are where they belong, it’s the anglers who are the invaders here.”
Dozens of anglers have actually responded to Allie’s discuss MKAA’s Facebook,the majority of them protecting their sport.
Many said some locations, especially Furzton Lake, were too crowded with swans and the birds kept swimming into their fishing lines.
“I don’t think any angler wishes to hurt wildlife…. Most issues with swans appear to happen on Furzton Lake where there is an unhealthy population. These birds were never meant to live in such large communities as they are usually very territorial. They have adopted unnatural behaviour due to individuals feeding them,” said one.
Another said: “All wildlife has a place but it is human intervention that sometimes creates the problem… One of the issues that does not help is releasing rescue swans and geese in to what is already crowded water.”
A 3rd composed: “This isn’t careless angling. The swans fly/swim and walk through lines even with precautions taken. This is just an unfortunate event.”
He said the bait bombs, referred to as ‘spombs’ cost almost £20 each and the line costs a lot more.
“The last thing any angler desires is to purchase another, not to mention hurt birds”,
One angler developed what he however was the response: “Take some of the swans off the lake,” he stated.
