As the turtle grew, he would eventually have been strangled by the line. Many sport fishers seem to think lakes and streams are their own personal dumping grounds. A study of one lake in Wales revealed that the majority of litter left by visitors was found along the small section of shoreline predominantly used by fishers. Discarded bait containers accounted for nearly half the total trash. This coot's foot was completely severed by fishing line.
Fishing tackle can injure animals in a number of ways.
Animals who get entangled in line that is on the ground can become trapped underwater and drown if it catches on rocks or debris. Baby birds can be strangled if their parents use bits of fishing line when weaving their nests. Other types of tackle can be deadly, too. Wildlife rehabilitators treat birds poisoned by lead sinkers and otters who can't digest their food because their intestines are full of plastic fishing lures. Some rehabilitators say tackle victims account for the majority of animals they attend to every year.