Canada Geese are big water birds. You find them a lot around here on golf courses and lakes. People sometimes find them annoying but they are pretty incredible. They are migratory birds and can fly 1,500 miles in 24 hours. They migrate in Spring and Fall and return to the place they were born for nesting and mating.
Federal laws protect Canada Geese. It is illegal to harm geese, or their nests in the United States.
One of the biggest problems that affect wildlife and definitely water birds is fishing line. It gets caught in thir feet, wings and beaks and obviously they can’t get it off. In most situations it will lead to their death.
This Canada Goose is one of hundreds that had to be humanely euthanized because it got fishing line around its leg in Lake Allatoona.
My friend, Keeton Nelson came out with me and one of the founders of Georgia Wildlife Network to try and catch and help it. He said this: I love going out and helping my friend and his mom on animal rescue missions. I love the scenery, the intensity and being able to help nature. Except last time it was different. We found a goose caught up in fishing line, badly injured. As a fisherman myself this hits me hard because of the fact that fishing line can do so much damage to animal life and people just leave it out.
My mom walks around the lake at our golf course and picks up a lot of fishing line. If there is one thing you do this summer please don’t leave fishing line lying around.
Rob Macmillan
May 2022 - Aroundabout Local Media