I may be overdoing it on the exclamation points, but Ziggy, the swan who's been dragging around fishing line and a lure, has been freed and rescued, as of yesterday. He was rescued yesterday. Martin from Prospect Alliance had tried to catch him (we're calling Ziggy a him out of courtesy - I am uncomfortable calling a living creature it), without success. Then, yesterday, Ziggy got himself tangled in the phragmites near the Peninsula. Our friend Ed (who told us what happened) plus Oleg, another regular park Watcher) took a lid off small dumpster to reach Ziggy, and they cut off all the fishing line, lure, etc. I just hop the swans can stay free of the fishing line.
There really needs to be more publicity about the havoc that fishing line can wreak, and the need to dispose of it properly. The Parks Department seems to making some progress with the trash cleanup and stopping barbecue coals from killing the trees. How about a concentrated effort about the dangers of fishing line? Anne says she saw a goose hobbled by fishing line already.
Heard a rumor - the Port-a-johns were overturned not by vandals having destructive fun, but as a protest against the poor quality of public restrooms at our end of the park. Who knows? If the perpetrators read this blog, an anonymous statement as to cause would be much appreciated.
Rode my bike to the Park as a nice change from walking. JJ did a great job following me as I circled the Nethermead. My maximum speed was only about 8 MPH, and she pretty much kept up!
Photos of the swan rescue: http://rrrina.com/swansinjuredprospectpark.htm
Please see sequence of events re: injured swans here: http://forums.manhattanbirdclub.com/post?id=4827900
ReplyDeleteFishing and wildlife obviously don't mix in a public park. Allowing people to continue to fish, hoping nothing else happens to wildlife, is not adequate. We need a huge public outcry to ban fishing in Prospect Park, before any more of these "accidents" take place.
There are many ways to enjoy nature, without hurting anyone (e.g.hiking, pedal boating, photography, sketching, painting, etc). No one will miss the fishermen. People don't come to the park to marvel at fishermen.
Rina Deych, RN and Wildlife Rehabilitator
Brooklyn
Thanks for the comment. Apparently, the problem was that the fishing lines incorporated illegal, barbed, fishhooks. I have been going to Prospect Park since I moved here in 1987 and have NEVER, EVER seen any reference to legal vs. illegal fishhooks. A little publicity about what is ok and not ok would be a good first step.
ReplyDelete