Editor’s Note: The Yellow-crowned Night Heron is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of the patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect all of our wildlife. Read previous cases here.
Florida’s year-round warm weather, diverse aquatic habitats, and reputation for record-breaking catches make it the nation’s top destination for recreational fishing, generating more economic activity from the sport than any other state.
But that also means Florida’s waters and wildlife are the first to feel the effects of irresponsible fishing practices, such as the improper disposal of tackle and line. Hooks left in fish can travel up the food chain, becoming lodged in predators like herons, eagles, ospreys, or even dolphins. Discarded lines become a trap for birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles, potentially leading to severe injuries or even death as circulation is cut off.
This juvenile yellow-crowned night heron (patient #25-2848) was brought to CROW after being found with fishing line hanging from its beak. Radiographs (X-rays) confirmed that the patient had swallowed a hook, along with some metal sinkers. Although this species feeds heavily on crustaceans, it also hunts marine and freshwater fish, making it susceptible to ingesting discarded tackle or cut lines.
Our hospital staff attempted to remove the hook with the help of an endoscope — a long, flexible camera — threaded down the esophagus. Though the hook hadn’t punctured the heron’s digestive tract, the attached fishing line was balled up and firmly lodged, so it could not be removed through the mouth. Instead, CROW’s veterinarians performed coelomic surgery to remove the line and hook.
The surgery went smoothly, and the heron is now on the mend. Just six days post-operation, it’s healing well and has already returned to eating solid food. It is very active and vocal, both positive signs in a recovering patient. Not all entanglement cases are quite as optimistic. To learn more about responsible fishing practices, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website and stay up-to-date on initiatives such as Mind Your Line. Florida’s fishing and wildlife are legendary; help us keep them that way. Be the one who fishes with care.
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