Pelican Welfare and Fishing Line Entanglement

Brown pelicans are frequently injured by monofilament fishing line and fish hooks discarded by recreational anglers, with rehabilitation centers treating thousands of entanglement injuries annually.

Key Facts

Brown pelicans were removed from the Endangered Species List in 2009 after recovering from DDT impacts
Monofilament fishing line entanglement is the leading cause of pelican admission to wildlife rehabilitation centers
Hooks lodged in the throat or pouch can prevent feeding and cause starvation if not removed
Pelican rehabilitation success rates exceed 70% for entanglement injuries treated promptly
Monofilament recycling bins at fishing access points dramatically reduce discarded line availability

Welfare Considerations

Pelicans entangled in monofilament line experience progressive restriction of wing movement, circulation loss in trapped limbs, and in cases of hook ingestion, inability to swallow prey. Birds with line wrapped around bills starve within days. The suffering is prolonged and visible — entangled pelicans are often observed at fishing piers for days before they are captured for treatment. Monofilament recycling infrastructure and angler education campaigns that reduce line discarding are highly cost-effective welfare interventions given pelican rehabilitation costs.

What You Can Do

Always retrieve discarded fishing line from water and land and use recycling bins
Report injured pelicans to local wildlife rehabilitation centers immediately
Support monofilament recycling bin installation at fishing access points
Educate fellow anglers about the impacts of discarded tackle on wildlife