From WAND tv

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The Springfield Police Department rescued an owl wrapped in fishing line.

Officers brought the owl to the Illinois Raptor Center where experts started untangling the fishing line. They found several hooks and fishing lures caught in the bird’s skin and feathers.

“What we got was a big, beautiful Great Horned Owl who was completely engulfed in fishing line and fishing lures. I have been doing this for 30 years. A bird coming in wrapped up in fishing line is not a surprising thing. I have never seen anything this bad,” said Jacques Nuzzo, Program Director for the Illinois Raptor Center.

The Illinois Raptor Center said they hope to release the owl in a few days.

  • @shalafiEnglish
    2•3 months ago

    I’m on the water a great deal and haul in everything I can find. Cleaned up Tuesday’s haul and ended up with about 15 sets of hooks, swivels and sinkers. On Monday I found a whole cast net by the creek, without the lead unfortunately (I melt it down).

    • anon6789OP
      2•3 months ago

      Thank you for your service! I’ve been seeing a good number of these stories lately, including ones where help arrives too late. The most recent had a Barred Owl that died from its injuries, and it was an extra shame because they said the line ball was in a very easily accessible location.

      One post also pointed out that the fishing line is UV protected these days, so it doesn’t break down or get weaker with time.

      What do you do with the lead?

      • @shalafiEnglish
        3•3 months ago

        I pour the lead in silicone molds which I have from making resin doodads. Made a Han Solo in carbonite! Also have a Death Star, an octopus and a little pyramid. Takes a long time to gather enough for even a small project. I got the melter because I was going to try my hand at making bullets for my black powder guns but I’ve since soured on that project.

        • anon6789OP
          2•3 months ago

          Those were my 2 guesses! I know people like wheel weights and fishing sinkers for melting down, so I was curious what you were making.

          I used to do reloading but I never allowed myself to start buying casting supplies. I already had enough gear laying around and didn’t want to spend all my time making bullets instead of actually shooting. Did do metal casting in school though, and it is a lot of fun!