By Alesha Capone
A wild black swan who swallowed discarded rubbish in Sanctuary Lakes has been released back into the wild after wildlife rescue volunteers and staff at Werribee Open Range saved the bird’s life.
Point Cook Wildlife Care volunteers were called to the lake after members of the public spotted a swan with what looked like fishing line its beak.
Volunteers could see rubbish wrapped around the swan’s tongue and larynx. They suspected the swan had also swallowed some of the rubbish.
Veterinarians at Werribee zoo operated and successfully removed the rubbish.
After a swift recovery the swan was released back into Sanctuary Lakes earlier this month.
Zoo staff have appealed for visitors to Wyndham’s waterways and open spaces to always take rubbish and fishing lines home with them, or dispose of them properly.
Werribee Open Range Zoo senior veterinarian, Natalie Rourke, said litter – along with discarded fishing lines and hooks – could seriously injure and kill Australian animals.
“Unfortunately, any rubbish that finds its way into the marine environment and its waterways – including discarded fishing line – poses a potentially deadly risk to marine wildlife and waterbirds, as we’ve seen with this black swan,” Dr Rourke said.
Fishing line entanglements result in the deaths of an estimated 1400 seals every year in Australia.
Zoos Victoria has a series of more than 300 specially-designed ‘Seal the Loop’ bins located at waterways and beaches across the state, for anglers and recreational fishers to dispose of their unwanted fishing lines and hooks.
Dr Rourke said it was also important for members of the public to contact authorities if they saw an injured animal, bird or marine creature.
“Anyone who sees a marine animal in distress can call Melbourne Zoo’s Marine Response Unit for assistance on 1300 245 678,” she said.
Details: www.zoo.org.au/seal-the-loop/
