COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — The Conservancy of Southwest Florida admitted 51 animals over the past week, including three entangled in netting and fishing line.

In a week marked by critical wildlife rescues, the von Arx Wildlife Hospital in Collier County admitted two eastern cottontails and a brown pelican.

Other admissions among the 51 rescues include a fox squirrel, a blue-gray gnatcatcher, a common ground dove, a pileated woodpecker, and a gopher tortoise.

Pelican Hooked and Entangled in Fishing Gear

A distress call from a roofer near Doctors Pass on led to the rescue of a brown pelican entangled in fishing gear, dragging a smaller white gull along with it.

Wildlife Hospital Volunteer, Lauren Malinowski, responded swiftly to the call.

When she arrived, the deceased gull and pelican were both hooked. The line behind each bird was entangled in a mass of fishing lines.

After returning to von Arx Wildlife Hospital, the pelican underwent a thorough examination with radiographs to ensure it hadn’t ingested any fish hooks or lines.

According to the Conservancy of SWFL, it was alert and began to eat on its own on the second day at the wildlife hospital.

The wounds on the pelican’s feet will require daily treatment as it continues to recover.

Cottontail Rabbits Entangled in Sports Netting

In another rescue effort, the wildlife hospital admitted two eastern cottontail rabbits after they found them struggling in soccer nets.

Both rabbits suffered musculoskeletal trauma and respiratory distress. One had lacerations across the neck and hip.

 They received multiple pain medications, laser therapy, and subcutaneous electrolytes. Staff placed them both on oxygen in animal intensive care units.

Despite intensive treatment, one rabbit’s condition deteriorated, and it was apparent the only option for her was humane euthanasia.

Meanwhile, the other is showing gradual improvement under care at the hospital.

Call for Responsible Angling and Netting Safety

The Conservancy of SWFL urges the community to practice responsible angling and support safety measures for sports netting.

Anglers should avoid casting lines while birds are nearby, handle entangled birds carefully, and consider using barbless hooks.

The conservancy encourages schools to adopt practices that reduce the dangers of sports netting and educate students about their impact on local wildlife.

For immediate assistance with injured wildlife, contact the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at 239-262-CARE.