DuPage County woman collects fishing line to save wildlife

WHEATON, Ill. (AP) - A Wheaton resident who volunteers with a bird rescue group scans the ground near popular DuPage County fishing spots looking for fishing line that can harm wildlife.

Amy Tavolino tells the Daily Herald (http://bit.ly/2dDbLMr ) she's seen numerous animals injured by fishing line and hooks at suburban parks and forest preserves, including birds entangled in monofilament fishing line doesn't decompose.

DuPage forest preserve officials say discarded monofilament has been an issue for years at popular fishing spots, and that staff and volunteers try to maintain the areas. The district began installing monofilament recycling bins about five years ago, and Tavolino says fishermen must properly dispose of unwanted line, hooks, lures and bobbers.

The district says a local wildlife rehabilitation center cares for hundreds of animals injured by fishing tackle each year.

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Information from: Daily Herald, http://www.dailyherald.com