Wildlife officials treat geese tangled in fishing line

HELENA – Wildlife officials have captured and treated a pair of geese that became tangled in fishing line near Helena.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife rehab center manager Lisa Rhodin told the Helena Independent Record that the geese managed to avoid officials for about six weeks before a game warden captured them using a net cannon early Friday.

The birds were found just west of Helena at Spring Meadow Lake. The fishing line was tightly wrapped around their feet and one wing was entangled. FWP staff removed the line before the injuries became too severe.

Rhodin said the geese would have lost their feet if the line was not removed.

The wildlife center gets several calls each year about birds tangled in fishing line. FWP urges people to properly dispose of used fishing line.