Royal tern found with treble hook in its mouth
By Joanna Fitzgerald | Director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital
A royal tern was among the 61 animals admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida this past week.
A City of Naples Beach Patrol Officer brought the royal tern to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital after it was reported to have been sitting in the same location on the beach for several hours. Staff performed a physical exam that includes checking the entire body for signs of illness or injury.
The tern was significantly underweight, its mentation was noticeably dull and the bird had an obvious increased respiratory effort while resting. The wings and legs showed no apparent signs of injury. Staff checked the tern’s mouth and saw a large treble hook impaled in the tern’s oral cavity just past the trachea. A radiograph revealed the tern had not ingested any other fish hooks and showed the exact placement of the fish hook in the tern’s mouth.
Staff placed the tern in a warm intensive care unit on supplemental oxygen and administered pain medication. Once the medication had taken effect, an in-depth assessment was performed. The hook had caused significant damage and the tern’s weakened condition left euthanasia as the only appropriate treatment option.
This case reinforced the fact that not all injuries are obvious or outwardly apparent. If you suspect an animal is sick or its behavior is abnormal, don’t ignore the situation, offer assistance. If unsure of what to do, call the wildlife hospital staff for guidance.
Royal terns are just one species of shorebird congregating in flocks on the beaches this time of year. Black skimmers, gulls, sandpipers and many other shorebirds make their winter homes on Southwest Florida’s beaches. The increase in the number of birds, along with the increase in people as our seasonal human visitors return to Naples means shorebirds face more human-related challenges, including injuries from angling activities and increased foot traffic along the beaches.
If you or someone you know is an angler, be responsible. Never cast your line if birds are flying nearby. If you accidentally hook a bird, do not cut the line. Reel the bird in carefully but quickly. A bird struggling against a taut line may cause the line to break and allow the bird to fly off entangled in hooks and line.
Covering the bird’s head with a towel once it is reeled in will help calm the bird. If the hook is not deeply embedded, gently push the hook through the skin until the barb is exposed. Clip the barb off using a wire cutter and back the hook out. Step away and allow the bird time to gain its bearings and fly off. If the hook is deeply embedded, or if the hook has been ingested, contain the bird and bring it to the wildlife hospital for immediate medical attention.
Promote coexisting with wildlife in everything you do. Coastal development has resulted in the loss of natural habitat forcing flocks of shorebirds to share beaches heavily visited by people. Oftentimes these birds have migrated hundreds of miles and need to rest and gain strength so be mindful if you are walking the beach; avoid disturbing flocks of resting birds by walking around the flock. Walking through flocks of resting birds forces them to fly and expend energy. A bird that is already in a weakened condition does not have any extra energy to waste.
Most importantly, please, please, please don’t let kids harass birds when visiting the beach. Teach children to respect wildlife and educate them about the harm they are causing when they chase birds.
Recent Releases
Four eastern cottontails, a royal tern, two marsh rabbits, three big brown bats, two red-shouldered hawks, two laughing gulls, an eastern screech owl and a grey squirrel were released this past week.
Opportunities to Help
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Every donation supports the Conservancy’s work to protect Southwest Florida’s water, land, wildlife and future. To learn more about the mission of the Conservancy visit our website at www.conservancy.org.
