Officer Mullen reports…
I was working dispatch when we got a call from a concerned resident who saw a young gull on a boat that appeared to be caught on something, as the wing was sticking out in a strange way. Officer Quirke was in the area and was sent to check on the bird. When he arrived he soon discovered that the bird was entangled in fishing line that was wrapped around a nearby pole. After gaining permission from the Harbor Master and owner of the boat, Officer Quirke went on board to get a closer look and rescue the bird from the line. Officer Quirke gently laid a towel over the bird to both aid in restraint and calm the gull. He was able to use a knife to gently cut away the fishing line. The line had wrapped around two large feathers and with a few cuts, the line fell off and the bird was no longer entangled. Officer Quirke still had control of the gull and gave the bird a thorough examination. Thankfully the gull did not appear to have any injuries and was able to be released on scene.
There are over 50 different species of gulls and they are the only seabird to inhabit all seven continents. They are one of the only seabirds that can walk as easily on land as they paddle in the water. Gulls are extremely intelligent and inquisitive, which often leads to them finding themselves in some troublesome situations. This along with improper discarding of fishing line creates a dangerous situation for many shorebirds. Thankfully many piers and harbors along the California Coastline have monofilament recycling bins for fishermen to utilize. San Francisco has a program that collects the recycled fishing line and then melts it down to create artificial reefs that are used for freshwater fish living under piers.
If you see a bird or any animal tangled in fishing line or who appears to be in distress, please call our dispatch at 415-554-9400. If you know a fisherman (or woman) please remind them to properly dispose of and recycle their monofilament fishing line. Thank you for helping us keep our shorebirds happy and healthy during their stay in San Francisco.