DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado deputies are asking people to correctly dispose of fishing lines and hooks after authorities waded through cold waters to rescue a tangled young bird.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, animal control responded to a call about a duck trapped in a fishing line about 20 yards offshore at Crown Hill Lake.
At first, the crew tried to reach the duck by putting on waders and hopping into the water, but after getting chest-deep, they still couldn't reach the duck, even with a long net.
The West Metro Fire Rescue then assisted by suiting up in dry suits. One of the crew members swam out to the duck, while others held a rope offshore to keep hold of the rescuer. The sheriff's office posted about the rescue on X, which shows snow falling as a crew member swims into the water to catch the duck.
Here are a few photos from the rescue:
West Metro was able to catch the duck and cut the fishing line off. After the duck was onshore, the sheriff's office said the bird, identified as a male Goldeneye in its first winter, had a lure embedded near its shoulder.
"Always properly dispose of fishing lines and hooks to help protect wildlife. Your small actions can save lives!" the sheriff's office said in a post on X.
The sheriff's office said the duck was taken to Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for treatment.