During this year’s Walk for Wildlife along the American River, members of the Waterbird Habitat Project witnessed a Canada goose in distress: it was tangled in discarded fishing line that was still attached to a pole. The situation could have turned tragic, but thanks to quick action and community teamwork, it became a success story.
Two dedicated participants, Karl Bly and Chris Balem, sprang into action to help. With care and coordination, they worked to safely free the goose from the entanglement. Once released, the bird swam away, unharmed. This struck us as a powerful reminder of how vital timely intervention can be.
This rescue highlights why our work at the Waterbird Habitat Project is so important. Every year, fishing gear left behind in and around the American River puts birds and other wildlife at risk. Our mission is to collaborate with anglers and local communities to retrieve this abandoned gear, raise awareness about its impacts, and foster a sense of stewardship for the river ecosystem we all share.
We’re grateful to Karl and Chris—and to everyone who supports our mission—for making a difference, one rescue at a time.
Watch the goose rescue in action below!
