06/07/2025
🪝 Eastern Reef Egret – Fishing Hook Injury 🪝
This Eastern Reef Egret (Egretta sacra) was found by a concerned member of the public who noticed fishing line protruding from her beak. The bird was easily captured and contained indicating she was severely debilitated.
On presentation to Wild North Veterinary Hospital, she was extremely weak, markedly dehydrated, and in poor body condition. Under general anaesthesia, a fish hook was found lodged in and perforating through the wall of the stomach.
Due to her critical condition, the anaesthetic was challanging, so the procedure was kept short. She experienced an apnoeic episode and required assisted ventilation. An intravenous catheter was placed in the cutaneous ulnar vein to administer fluids, glucose, and antibiotics.
Following a period of stabilisation, she underwent surgery the next day. The hook was cut below the barb and carefully removed via the oral cavity. The hole in her stomach was surgically repaired, and the stomach was lavaged to reduce bacterial contamination.
Post-operatively, she has shown steady improvement and is now voluntarily eating small pieces of fish. She remains under intensive care and will require ongoing rehabilitation to restore her body condition and flight capacity.
🎣 We currently seeing a large number of wildlife with fish hook injuries. Please always dispose of fishing waste responsibly. Discarded hooks and line pose a serious risk to our native wildlife. 🐟 🪝
