Editor’s Note: The royal tern 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.
A royal tern (Thalasseus maximus) was discovered entrapped in fishing line on a Sanibel beach; there were multiple hooks embedded around the tern’s beak. After removing the hooks, the rescuer brought the tern (patient 26-1655) to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) for further evaluation.
At their hospital, CROW’s veterinarians observed that the tern was suffering from significant stomatitis, an inflammation of the mouth, in addition to the deep puncture wounds caused by the hooks. The veterinarians cleaned the wounds and placed the tern on systemic antibiotics. The patient is currently receiving daily wound care and is under close staff observation to assess whether the infection progresses. CROW’s staff provides food, medication, and supportive care to keep the tern comfortable.
Sadly, birds frequently arrive at CROW with injuries caused by fishing hooks and lines. CROW’s staff encourages the public to Leave No Trace — always take scrap lines and lures with you to help protect Florida’s vulnerable wildlife.
If you find a bird entangled in fishing line, cut the line, but do not remove any hooks yourself — this may cause further injury. Instead, contain the bird in a box and bring it straight to a wildlife rehabilitator. Staff have the resources, experience, and training to remove any fishing tackle safely.
CROW’s first patient in 1968 was a royal tern, making this species especially meaningful to the staff. Today, terns face ongoing threats from coastal development and human disturbance, particularly because they nest on low-lying sandy beaches.
Protecting wildlife starts with the choices individuals make every day. By taking the time to clean up your immediate surroundings, you can reduce the risk of animals ingesting harmful waste or becoming entangled in debris. These small changes benefit local populations, and have a tangible, positive ripple effect for generations of wildlife to come.
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