Rescued duck returned to Lake Tomahawk
Mallard home after surviving nearly fatal fishing line encounter
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
February 8, 2021
A mallard duck that was found in early January with fishing line around its neck returns to Lake Tomahawk, after nearly a month of rehabilitation at Appalachian Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Fred McCormick
A mature male mallard duck is swimming again at Lake Tomahawk after nearly dying from an encounter with a fishing line in early January.
Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, a Candler-based nonprofit organization that coordinates rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wild animals, released the animal on Feb. 8, near the spot it was rescued Jan. 5, by Black Mountain resident Stephanie Reagan.
Reagan and her husband noticed the animal showing signs of distress early this year on their daily walks around the lake, she said. The duck was isolated from the others, and appeared to have a fishing line around its neck.
“We asked a fisherman if we could borrow a net to try to catch him and we couldn’t catch him with that,” she said. “We came back the next day and tried to catch him with a cargo net, and that didn’t work either. A couple of days later we were walking around the lake looking for him, and he was right in the path. We just reached down and picked him up.”
The duck was emaciated and physically exhausted when Reagan made contact with it.
Stephanie Reagan, who discovered an animal in distress at Lake Tomahawk in January, looks on as the duck is resealed. The mature male mallard was found with a fishing line around its neck and rehabilitated by Appalachian Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Fred McCormick
The Town of Black Mountain Recreation and Parks service, which manages the lake, was aware of the injured duck, according to administrative assistant Michele Raine.
“We made numerous attempts to get to the duck ourselves,” she said. “Every time we approached him he would swim or fly out into the water. We were relieved when we learned that someone was successful in getting him help.”
Reagan learned of Appalachian Wildlife Refuge through a social media group and contacted them immediately after removing as much of the line as possible from the neck of the duck.
“At first we didn’t know who to contact for an injured animal,” she said. “But, it was very clear that he needed help.”
The condition of the duck was critical when Appalachian Wildlife Refuge received it, according to operations coordinator Sarah Gilmore.
“He wasn’t able to swallow his food,” she said moments before allowing Reagan to release the duck near the lake. “He had rancid food stuck in his esophagus, so when he got to us he was very weak and dehydrated. He was really close to passing away.”
Appalachian Wildlife Refuge Operations Coordinator Sarah Gilmore, left, treats an injured mallard duck in January. The duck was released back at Lake Tomahawk on Feb. 8. Photo courtesy of Appalachian Wildlife Refuge
The rehabilitation of the duck lasted approximately a month, and included removing the food blocking the esophagus, feeding and continuous observation.
“We made sure he was able to eat on his own and wasn’t having issues with swallowing,” Gilmore said. “Once he got to the point he’d gained nearly all his weight back and displayed the behaviors we want to see in a wild duck, we made the call to get him back home as soon as possible.”
Reagan opened the door of a crate used to transport the duck, which waddled out and sat in front near the lake as onlookers stood by at a distance. The waterfowl rested calmly in front of the crate for several minutes before suddenly taking flight and landing gently in the lake.
“I wanted to be here today to see him come back,” Reagan said. “We were hopeful from the beginning that he would be able to return when he was healthy.”
Litter, including fishing tackle and other waste, poses a significant risk to the wildlife in and around the lake, Raine said.
“We’re happy about the outcome, but this could have been worse,” she said. “We ask that everyone be aware that anything they leave lying around can easily injure or kill an animal.”
For more information about Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, including a wishlist, volunteer opportunities and animal rescue contact information, visit appalachianwild.org.