Wildlife

Wild Pelican Monofilament Entanglement

Brown pelicans are frequently injured by monofilament fishing line, with hooks embedded in their pouches and line entangling their wings.

Key Facts

Pelicans are attracted to fishing areas and become entangled in discarded line
Line entanglement cuts off circulation to wingtips, causing necrosis
Embedded hooks cause pouch damage that prevents normal feeding
Wildlife rehabilitation centers treat hundreds of pelicans annually for fishing injuries

Welfare Considerations

Fishing line entanglement causes progressive injury that is often fatal without intervention. Line cutting off circulation leads to tissue death over days. The combination of starvation from hook injury and entanglement trauma makes pelicans one of the most frequently treated wildlife casualties.

What You Can Do

Properly dispose of all monofilament fishing line rather than leaving it near water
Use monofilament recycling bins at fishing piers and boat launches
Consider circle hooks that reduce deep-hooking of birds
Report entangled or injured pelicans to wildlife rehabilitators immediately