Wild birds, for the most part, do an efficient job taking care of themselves and their own. Most of the time, we can only admire them from a distance, as they rest on a tree branch or telephone wire. Other times, we might enjoy a little timeout while watching their effortless aerial displays of speed and grace. However, birds can get into some of the worst kind of trouble when they’re not soaring in the relative safety of an open sky. Fortunately, for winged ones that do find themselves in trouble, there are some skilled and dedicated people standing by to help them get better, and then back into to the wild blue yonder where they belong.
A few of the sometimes residents at the Wildlife Center of Venice.

Recently, our friend and North Port, Florida Animal Control Officer, Win Sell, told my brother, Brooks, and me about some of those people, and an equally special place where they do their life’s work. The Wildlife Center of Venice, founded by Kevin Barton and Linda Shrader, has a straightforward and important mission: the Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release of Sick, Injured and Orphaned Wildlife. Since the center was located right in our backyard, we had to find out more. After a few phone calls, we spoke with Linda, who graciously arranged a time for us to meet and visit the center. In addition to our personal interests in what they were doing, we told her about a TV series we were independently producing called ‘Our W!LD Life’ ©. Like the name indicates, it seemed we all had a lot in common. And if shining a spotlight on the good work they were doing might be a good way to help in their efforts, then we were all over it.
The timing for our visit could not have been better. That is … unless you were a pelican. In addition to the many animal species they work with on a daily basis, Linda shared the troubling story of dozens of pelicans recently rescued and currently in different stages of rehabilitation for a variety of injuries at the center. We were surprised to find that virtually all the problems requiring their rescue and rehab were caused by this animal’s costly interactions with the top of the food chain. That’s right … man. And in particular, the fisher-MAN. As it turns out, nearly all the pelicans at the center were victims of externally embedded or swallowed fishhooks and dangerous entanglements with fishing line. In some of the worst cases, it was a combination of the two.
Pelicans are a communal species, and they sure had plenty of company at the center.
I’m a lifetime angler myself, and have had my share of run-ins with pelicans and other birds in the past, while fishing. So it’s important to say we’re by no means picking on or blaming anglers, in general, for the problem. Sometimes, these interactions just can’t be avoided. But as we learned, the sheer number and types of injuries tell the tale. Most importantly, though, we quickly realized that much of the problem should and could be avoided with just a little extra knowledge and effort on behalf of the angling community. It doesn’t matter whether you’re fishing the piers, beaches or open waterways. How to at least try and ‘do the right thing’ in this case is easy and it’s the same for everybody, everywhere. After arriving at the center, and while Linda’s partner, Kevin, was busy preparing a rescued and successfully rehabbed bald eaglet for release later that same day, Linda gave us a tour of the center and its grounds. It's am impressive and well-maintained facility with lots of room for the animals in their enclosures, and it became immediately apparent that Linda and Kevin put their hearts and souls into this place and what they do here.
As we were led into a building used for treatment and rehab, we spoke in hushed tones and avoided flash pictures to minimize stress for the patients in her care. Linda talked quietly, but her sincerity came through loud and clear while we saw first hand, the types of trauma these pelicans were enduring on a daily basis. Linda explained, ‘We’re fortunate to have local veterinarians who volunteer their time and skills to surgically remove swallowed fish hooks, help repair and mend broken bones and other serious injuries. She continued to explain how most of the pelicans end up at the center. ‘They'll go after a fisherman’s bait as it’s cast or once it lands in the water. When a pelican becomes hooked, fishermen will often cut their line thinking maybe it’s the best thing for the bird since it’s able to fly away’. I said, ‘Yeah, out of sight, but unfortunately, out of mind, too’. Linda then told us what often happens after a cutaway release. 'A pelican will fly to their communal roosting and nesting habitats that include coastal areas with mangroves and other trees and shrubs.
Pelican nesting and roosting habitats above. Photos courtesy: US Fish & Wildlife Service

In addition to injuries like embedded hooks in the mouth or body, they can also take many yards of fishing line, leader and other tackle with them. If the animal hasn’t actually swallowed a hook, its ability to hunt and feed can still be greatly affected’. But she went on to tell us one of the most disturbing outcomes for some of these animals. ‘Because of the trailing line and other tackle, they can easily become entangled in branches, shrubs or other objects. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to find birds that did become so entangled they were unable to fly’. This means they weren't able hunt or feed or drink. It's a death sentence and not a quick one, either. Starvation and dehydration means the end comes slow, and in agonizing fashion as the pelicans struggle in vain to free themselves. Other pelicans can, and too-often do, literally hang themselves with the fishing line.

Mark Cramer, a wildlife rescue volunteer for the center specializes in saving pelicans. He’s found too many birds that have met these unfortunate fates. We watched Mark deliver his latest batch of rescue victims as he told us similar stories. Then, while Brooks looked on, more generous and skilled volunteers gently removed what visible hooks and any other foreign objects they could from the center's newest patients.

Mark Cramer (left) and volunteers working on yet another pelican.

Mark and Linda agreed this year’s rash of rescues could be referred to as ‘an epidemic’. ‘You’re right’, Mark said. ‘We’re in season so there are a lot more anglers from all over the place here right now. That’s a lot of hooks and line’. I added that most of these anglers probably have no concept of the true scope of the problem. On that, Mark reminded us that he, ‘Brought in 11 birds from one trip, just the other day. It won’t slow down for a few months, either. I could do this all day, every day and not save them all'.
For some of these pelicans, their visit at the center is coming to a close and they'll be released soon. Those working at the center will tell you that releasing animals is the best part of the job.

There’s no doubt this a serious and largely unnecessary problem. But what can we all do to take part in a solution? I'll share the technique we use to safely release pelicans and other birds on the rare occasion we find one on the end of our fishing line. I'm also working with the center to get their recommendations added here because there's no doubt they've got a few helpful tricks up their sleeve.

STEPS TO RELEASING HOOKED AND TANGLED
PELICANS OR OTHER BIRDS:

STEP 1
Be aware of your surroundings when fishing. I know birds can sometimes be a nuisance, but be responsible. Look to see if pelicans or other birds are nearby. Don't cast directly into or near areas where birds are actively feeding or diving. If you're fishing a pier, look underneath before dropping a bait or casting. If all else fails and you find yourself tangled with a bird ... Stop and think. Whatever you do, DO NOT simply cut the line and release the bird. There are a few simple and effective steps you can take first.

STEP 2
Try to retrieve your line with the bird still attached. If you're pier fishing, walk the fish to the beach, if at all possible. Unless you're using heavy enough line to bring the pelican to the pier deck without causing further injury, going to the beach is the best method. Have a pair of pliers and something to cut with handy.

STEP 3
Once you have the animal close, use something like a towel or shirt to cover the bird's head. It will be instinctively pecking at you with its beak, flapping its wings and generally making a lot of noise. Be sure and protect your eyes, but don't worry too much about the beak causing you injury. You can even grab hold of it before covering the head with the towel or similar object. BE GENTLE. Don't twist the head and neck unnecessarily and REMAIN CALM. This will help the bird do the same.

STEP 4
It's easier with help, but once the animal has relaxed, do your best to assess the entanglement and / or hook situation. Sometimes, it's not so bad, and you can simply un loop line from the legs, wings or feet. Other times, you may need to remove a hook or cut line and other materials away.

STEP 5
Remove any and all line and leader materials first. This includes cutting it away from any hooks (BUT LEAVE A FEW INCHES TO USE IN HOLDING THE HOOK TAUGHT). Use this tag end of line, if needed in the next step.

STEP 6
To remove a hook from most areas, cut the barbed tip of the hook away with your pliers or other cutting tool, and then simply pull the hook through. If those few inches of line remain, they will pass through the hook hole, as well.

If the bird appears to have more serious injuries such as a broken wing or leg, or possibly a hook in the eye, contact your local animal rescue experts. If you're in the Sarasota County area of southwest Florida, you can reach the Wildlife Center of Venice at 941-484-9657 (daytime) or in emergencies 941-416-4967. Numbers like these are a good thing to have with you anytime and anywhere you might spend time outdoors.

So to all our fellow anglers out there, let's do it!
We’re counting on each and every one of you reading this to be a difference maker. Now you know what to do and you have this information to share with others, just like we’re doing now. Take the opportunity to tell your fishing buddies or better yet, set an example for any children you might take fishing. The crew at the Wildlife Center of Venice is really, really good at what they do, but that doesn’t mean the want to do it as much as they’re having to. For every Pelican they don’t have to rescue and rehab, there are another 10 animals of all shapes and sizes in desperate need of their help, time and expert care. Every little bit we do can add up to a big difference.
Linda Schrader & Kevin Barton rack up the miles during their long days at the center.
As our visit to the center was coming to an end, Kevin joined us and asked if we’d like to document him loading up the eaglet for transport to a re-nesting location to the north. We jumped on the chance and enjoyed the bonus of meeting a baby great horned owl, also scheduled for reintroduction. This owl species is one of Kevin’s favorites. He also showed us a few of the tools of his trade that included a climbing and release kit topped off with a safety helmet. The kit is used to scale large trees and other objects in the center’s re-nesting operations. Needless to say, we look forward to joining him on one of those expeditions in the future to document the delicate and sometimes dangerous, but necessary procedure.
This eaglet spent a brief time at the center after receiving some much-needed nutrition and hydration. Hopes are high for its reintroduction.
A baby great horned owl like this one could grow over 2 feet tall with a wingspan of 5 feet.
Kevin said he hoped it would go well on this day, and that he had his fingers crossed. We thanked him and wished him and the animals well just before he drove off with the precious cargo.
Then it was time to say our thanks and goodbyes to Linda and Mark who were discussing release locations for the next day. As it turns out, yet another graduating class of rehabilitated pelicans was on it’s way back to the wild. The dedicated effort here never, ever stops. It can’t. Even as we were loading the car, a woman and her young daughter pulled in asking, ‘Where’s Linda’? In their hands, was a shoe box with little holes cut in the top. We asked what was inside. The little girl excitedly answered, ‘A baby bird! We think it’s a sparrow! And it has a broken wing!’ We told her they came to the right place. As we turned and pointed to where we last saw Linda, she was already on her way to greet her newest patient … just another day at the Wildlife Center of Venice.
We extend our sincere thanks to our new friends: Linda, Kevin, the entire staff and all the volunteers at the center. We’ll be back soon. Until then, keep up the great work you’re doing. We all appreciate it.
Adventure & W!LD Life Forever!
TO REPORT A SICK, INJURED OR ORPHANED ANIMAL
In the Sarasota County area of southwest Florida
You can call 941-484-9657 (daytime) or in emergencies 941-416-4967.

For more information about the center including ways you can volunteer or donate funds or materials, visit them online:
www.WildLifeCenterOfVenice.org

The Wildlife Center of Venice, Inc.is a Non-Profit (501c3 Non-Profit) organization and a State and Federal licensed Rehabilitator of Wildlife. The Center is located at
3252 Border Road, Venice, FL 34292