By ANNA USHER

A sickening wildlife tragedy has unfolded at Balmoral, where an Australian Pied Cormorant – a regular sight on the beach – has died after being found with eight fishing hooks embedded in its body.

The mature bird, reported by concerned locals struggling to fly and visibly entangled in fishing line, had been spotted multiple times in recent weeks. Despite the community’s efforts to locate and help the bird, it wasn’t until Wednesday 18 June that WIRES volunteer Anna successfully reached it by boat.

Two hooks were carefully removed on site, along with line embedded around the bird’s tail. But once admitted to Taronga Wildlife Hospital the following morning, the full extent of the injuries became devastatingly clear.

Under general anaesthetic, Taronga’s veterinary team discovered six more fishing hooks, one of them lodged internally. Emaciated, suffering, and unable to be saved, the cormorant was humanely euthanised.

The incident is a sobering reminder of damage that can be caused by recreational fishing when basic care isn’t taken.

“In the event of accidentally entangling a bird while fishing, please do not cut the line. Immediately call your local wildlife rescue group,” a Taronga Zoo spokesperson told Mosman Collective.

“Take all discarded fishing line, collect off-cuts and dispose of responsibly.

“Thank you to the concerned members of public who contacted Taronga, WIRES and NPWS with concerns about this individual, and to the dedicated WIRES volunteer who rescued the animal,” the spokesperson said.