Latest news with #fishinghooks
Russia Today
4 days ago
- Health
- Russia Today
South African seal rescued from fishing hooks (PHOTOS)
A young Cape fur seal is recovering at Durban's uShaka Sea World, South Africa, after being found with several fishing hooks embedded in his body, the news outlet IOL reported on Wednesday. It's only the second case of its kind in the KwaZulu-Natal region in more than 20 years, according to the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR). Nicknamed 'Captain Hook' by staff, the two-and-a-half-year-old male was caught in early July at eManzimtoti, a coastal town just south of Durban. Marine experts believe the seal had followed the annual Sardine Run before food shortages drove him to seek bait from fishing lines, resulting in his injuries. Hooks were removed from his mouth and back, and he was treated with antibiotics and pain relief. A further gastroscopic examination found one more hook in his oesophagus, but a decision was made to leave it in place as according to SAAMBR spokesperson Ann Kunz it posed no immediate health risk. The seal is gaining weight on a diet of pilchards, hake, sprats and squid, with the latter 'being his least favourite (he believes squid is just like broccoli),' she said. 'He still has a long way to go before he reaches his goal weight, but it is safe to say that he is now out of the woods and on the road to recovery,' SAAMBR press service reported on Tuesday. 'Captain Hook' remains in quarantine for rabies monitoring, despite vaccination, as a precaution. Cape fur seals in South Africa and Namibia have previously tested positive for the virus. In May, another young male southern elephant seal was rescued after wandering through the streets of Gordon's Bay, near Cape Town. The Cape of Good Hope SPCA said the seal was secured near a shopping center and later returned it to the sea, sharing video of the release.
BBC News
10-08-2025
- General
- BBC News
Salford Quays: Fishing litter kills cygnet and injures dog
Fishing hooks and wire discarded at Salford Quays have killed a cygnet and injured a pet young swan was found with a hook caught in its mouth and later died from its injuries and the dog had to get emergency vet Darlington, 33, the local resident who found the swan, said it was "incredibly distressing that rubbish left from people fishing led to the death of one of the cygnets".The RSPCA said a minority of anglers were "letting the community down" by not disposing of their fishing waste properly. Alexes Rogers' dog Rufus was hurt after getting a fishing hook caught in its mouth. "Once I realised it had pierced through his lip, I got him home, but my partner and I couldn't unhook it, and he was very distressed," she said. Ms Rogers, 51, rushed Rufus to the vets who sedated the dog, before cutting the hook out and stitching him back up, costing more than £ Rendall, 46, who lives in Salford Quays, said he wanted visitors to put any hooks and broken glass in litter bins, so that situations like this "could hopefully be prevented" in the Rendall said the local wildlife was really important to the local community."It is part of the Quays. It's an enjoyment for everyone that lives there and everyone that visits," he said. The RSPCA received about 750 calls last year to animals getting caught in fishing Stones from the charity said: "The majority of anglers are careful when fishing - but a small number are letting the community down by not disposing of their waste properly and leaving animals in danger.""It is frustrating that some don't realise how dangerous it is to animals." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
