Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Canada Geese

In the past week, we admitted six adult Canada Geese with injuries caused by discarded fishing hooks and lines.

Discarded gear often results in severe entanglement and constriction, frequently leading to tissue death or lower limb loss if not treated quickly. Many patients also suffer from embedded hooks and associated infections.

If you find an entangled animal, do not attempt to remove the hook or line yourself.

Professional removal, under sedation, with strong pain medications can help to prevent further muscle damage and reduce recovery time.

When hooks and lines are removed prior to admission, we typically see much more severe infections and the animal suffers greater stress and discomfort.

If you come across an animal with hook or line entanglement, please contain the animal if possible or contact a wildlife rehabilitator or your local animal control immediately to assist.

Once contained, these animals can be treated properly.

Of the three Canada geese still in care, all required surgical repair of wounds and, in one case, partial amputation of a digit.

One of the geese has received two rounds of regional limb perfusion (a technique where we use a tourniquet, under anesthesia, to deliver more concentrated doses of antibiotics in a specific region).

The geese pictured in this post are the first two who could be moved to one of our outdoor enclosures after healing sufficiently though they are both still on daily pain medications and antibiotics.

We know a lot of you will be out fishing this summer. Please remember that we are guests in the homes of our local wildlife.

While exploring and enjoying nature is a wonderful experience, be sure to carry out everything you bring with you and ensure all fishing line is disposed of properly.

If your line becomes snagged in bushes or trees, please make every possible effort to retrieve it.

Don’t hesitate to ask nearby boaters for help if needed, they likely love wildlife too and want to help out where they can.

Even if the litter isn’t yours, taking a moment to clean up what you find can make a significant difference. Ultimately, the most effective way to address these types of wildlife injuries is to prevent them from happening in the first place!

Looking for an easy way to help native wildlife? Become a monthly BRWC donor! For as little as $5/month, you can provide year-round, sustainable support that helps us fulfill our mission.