Four Prospect Park Swans Hooked By Fishermen

Prospect Park swan, via idletype's flickr

The ongoing animal soap opera at Prospect Park Lake continues, this time the drama revolving around four swans—two adults and two babies. All four of them were discovered Monday with fishing hooks in their beaks and lines around their legs, according to the Brooklyn Paper. Two local swan enthusiasts saved the day, telling the paper that the injuries had to be treated immediately and they probably only had another day to live if they hadn't been found.

Ed Bahlman and Anne-Katrin Titze led the rescue effort, calling Urban Park Rangers who eventually showed up after they freed three of the four swans. But the rangers didn't bring nets to help wrangle the last one free, and for some reason, didn't return until yesterday with the appropriate equipment. They were, however, successful, and now all four swans are swimming safely in the lake... until Man tries to make them down again.

It's believed the swans were injured by "outlaw fishers" who were armed with illegal barbed hooks. Here are the rules for fishing in the park, which state:

Fishing is "catch and release" only. Once a fish is caught, remove the hook and return it to the Lake unharmed.
No barbed hooks are allowed.
Anglers must respect the habitats and nesting grounds of birds and waterfowl.
Leave fishing sites clear of all debris.
Careless disposal of fishing line poses extreme hazards to birds and small animals. Hooks are especially dangerous to children and wildlife.
Please take home even the shortest length of line and dispose of properly.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on August 4, 2010 2:18 PM

Comments [rss]

dadoc

Yes, we know, everything the zealots don't approve of should be ILLEGAL! Aside from other revenues generated by outdoor sports, a big part of what maintains wildlife in the US comes from fishing/hunting license fees, as well as organizations like Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited and others. And there are taxes on ammo, etc, that go not to the general fund, but directly to supporting wildlife. I assume you would also make it ILLEGAL to harm Zebra Mussels and Asian Carp, both of which threaten to destroy the Great Lakes and Mississippi River ecosystem? There is ethical sporting, and non-ethical sporting. And I was part of getting lead sinkers banned from NYC waters years ago.

Amanda Harletsch

who would fish in Brooklyn?!

Those part time fishermen are nothing but retards!

Fishing in urban areas should be illegal!

Since humans have license to kill all around except other idiots like them we have a planet full of dying species, idiots and trash!

Rina Deych

Fishing needs to be banned, PERIOD. It's cruel to fish, waterfoul, and other wildlife. We should be teaching our children compassion for nature. Take a walk, photograph, sketch. There are many ways to appreciate the park without inflicting pain on anyone. Park goers don't come to the park to marvel at the fishermen.

Fishing needs to banned in Prospect Park.

Rina Deych, RN and Wildlife Rehabilitator

Andre

Do they taste like chicken?

Christine Quinn's Sushi Fund

It's a cruel, cruel practice and should be banned from city-owned parks.

If the city was successful in banning animal skinning (although they were only successful in banning it for raccoons, squirrels, and chipmunks), in the 80's then surely they can stop this from progressing.

The United Fur Trading Guild of America's Chicago chapter wants to move into the Meat Packing District where they once held a strong presence (obviously when it was still used to package meat) and wants to establish a NYC chapter.

I urge all to contact the guild's chapter organizer at once and show him NYC does not want nor is NYC interested in such an antiquated sport practice:

Robert Neellon Consollans

Chapter Organizer

United Fur Trading Guild of America

773-413-8625

woodendesigner

Hey at least they are alive when they are released.... That reminds me. I could go for some trout tonight. Mmmmmmmmmm TROUT!

ViniTheHat

You're an idiot.

Christine Quinn's Sushi Fund

so you think this is an acceptable practice? it's cruel and very old. this is 2010 not 1810. we have many more and better ways to fashion ourselves with than a dead animal's skin.

what if you were skinned alive? and you had to walk around with just your muscles and bones showing? all so someone else could make a profit while you suffered! it's inhumane and unfair.

Robert Neellon Consollans

Chapter Organizer

United Fur Trading Guild of America

773-413-8625

Cannibal

Im no scientist, but I am pretty sure that after you skin an animal they don't walk around with just skin and bones showing. I think they pretty much just lay around.