SAVE Wildlife
Urban Wetlands Safety

Discarded fishing lines and hooks are a serious threat to our urban waterfowl. Mallards, American coots, American pelicans, Tundra swans, and other aquatic wildlife become entangled in discarded line which often times cause severe injuries, infections, traumatic limb amputations, and even death. These preventable injuries are a recurring concern for wildlife living alongside recreational fishing activities.

Conservation Concern

Wildlife Center of Salt Lake receives dozens of entanglement cases every year.

But why should we care? Urban wetlands provide essential habitat for wildlife, supporting biodiversity, migration, breeding, and feeding. Waterfowl and other aquatic species play important ecological roles and protecting them from preventable human-caused injuries helps preserve our wetlands. Not to mention, we are preventing a long, painful death due to sepsis or life-long limb amputation.

You can Take Action

  • Practice responsible recreational fishing by packing out all discarded fishing line, hooks, and tackle to protect aquatic wildlife from preventable injuries and entanglement.

  • Keep an eye out for discarded fishing line around ponds and waterways, and safely pick it up to help prevent wildlife entanglements and injuries.

  • Get involved in protecting urban wildlife! Contact us to borrow a wetland cleanup kit for a day or join one of our organized community wetland cleanups.

Wildlife Center of Salt Lake Takes Action

WCSL addresses fishing line entanglement and fish hook injuries through a focused, two-part program that combines data public education and outreach and a hands-on clean-up plan.

Part One: Education

The first part of the program centers on education and outreach informed by our rehabilitation data. We aim to engage community members and recreators with the importance of the impacts of fishing line entanglements and how they can be reduced or prevented. Outreach activities include presentations, printed and digital resources.

Part Two: Action

Our hands-on conservation efforts focus on organizing urban wetland cleanups, prioritizing locations where fishing-related debris and wildlife injuries are most frequently reported. By removing discarded fishing lines, hooks, and other hazardous materials, we aim to reduce the risk of injury to aquatic wildlife.

Other Resources on Entanglements and Injuries

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