Animal rescuers are searching Golden Gate Park for a mew gull with a fishing lure snared in its beak.
WildRescue, the group that saved a nail-impaled hawk in October, is asking the public for help locating the bird so trained rescuers can capture it. Despite its injury, the bird is still able to fly, which has made it particularly difficult to capture, according to WildRescue director Rebecca Dmytryk.
“Flighted birds are the most difficult to capture when they’re injured – they behave differently. They feel as though they’re vulnerable so they stay further away,” Dmytryk said.
Rescuers will attempt to lure the bird closer with food and capture it with long handled nets, Dmytryk said. Unlike the injured hawk, which experts believe was intentionally shot with a nail gun, Dmytryk said the gull’s injury is likely an accident.
Anyone who has seen the bird should call WildRescue’s emergency hotline, (415) 979-9700, but should not attempt to capture the bird.
