A weakened Gannet was found along the Waddendijk on Texel on Saturday. The animal’s beak was completely entangled in a net, preventing it from eating. Seal sanctuary Ecomare freed the bird just in time, now he can recuperate with them.
A walker saw the weakened gannet and reported it to Ecomare. The walker must have noticed it, because the bird is not often seen in the Wadden area. “These large seabirds normally live in the open sea; they are almost never seen in the Wadden Sea”, let Ecomare know.
The bird probably just picked it up at sea. “It is the type of plastic net that is used to keep together onions, potatoes or firewood, for example,” describes Ecomare. The net was wrapped around both the bird’s leg and beak, preventing it from eating. “It’s bad to catch fish with a net around your beak.”
Litter
The gannet is currently in quarantine and is not yet eating on its own. He is forcibly fed by the zookeepers. As soon as possible, he will be placed in a group with other Gannets. “Contact with conspecifics has a positive influence on the recovery process of these large seabirds,” says the seal sanctuary.
Ecomare writes that litter is a major problem. Animals that are entangled in waste regularly end up in the shelter. That is only a small part of the number of entangled animals. “Most of them die at sea.”