GANGNEUNG, Nov. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – A great cormorant’s struggle with abandoned fishing gear was captured through an 840mm telephoto lens in the Namdaecheon Stream, which runs through the heart of Gangneung, South Korea, revealing an unexpected confrontation between wildlife and recreational fishing equipment.
The bird’s ordeal, documented in detail, showed it ensnared by fishing line, with a lure shaped like a fish lodged in its beak and hooks caught in its throat. What began as a routine observation of the typically graceful water bird turned into a 30-minute documentation of its struggle for life.
The cormorant’s desperate attempts to free itself followed a haunting pattern: it would lie motionless in the water with wings spread, then suddenly leap up, violently shaking its head from side to side. These frantic movements were punctuated by moments of apparent exhaustion, during which the bird would collapse back into the water.
“The bird’s attempts to free itself from the fishing line and lure were particularly distressing to witness,” said the photographer who documented the scene.
The cormorant alternated between diving underwater, thrashing on a sandbar among seagulls, and perching on a large branch stuck in the riverbed, all while trying to dislodge the lure with its feet.
Despite its persistent efforts, the artificial lure remained firmly attached, and the fishing line appeared to tighten around its neck with each struggle. After about 30 minutes of observation, the bird disappeared behind a reed bed and wasn’t seen again.
The incident carries a particular irony: great cormorants were recently designated as harmful wildlife in South Korea, with nationwide culling operations launched in March due to their impact on fish populations. The species has been blamed for depleting fish stocks in rivers and streams across the country.
“While these birds may be considered a nuisance, watching one suffer in this way was deeply troubling,” noted the photographer.
“Without intervention, this cormorant will either have to live with the fishing gear permanently attached or, more likely, will eventually succumb to starvation if the hooks prevent it from feeding.”
Image credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
