Osprey found dead after swallowing fishing line and hooks in St. Vrain State Park

St. Vrain State Park officials found one of its young osprey hanging dead from a nesting platform after it apparently swallowed “several feet of fishing line and hooks” on Friday.

The bird likely swallowed the wire when trying to eat a fish, according to a Sunday social media post from the park. The materials got caught in osprey nesting platform materials, keeping the bird from getting back to its nest or to the ground, the post states.

Officials with the park blamed visitors for leaving behind fishing line and other materials. The park also stated that other birds and animals—like geese, herons, pelicans and turtles—have died this year after swallowing fishing hooks.

“Somebody’s actions killed this bird, and other folks leaving their lines, litter, and illegal chum are causing more animals to get injured or die,” the post states. “You don’t have to take part in the killing if you simply Leave No Trace.”

According to the post, the bird likely got hold of the fish while it was hooked on an unattended line in the park.

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