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The Southern Ute Division of Wildlife Resource Management team observed a young osprey on the Lake Capote live stream webcam that had become entangled in fishing line in the nest.
To help prevent further harm to wildlife, Lake Capote recently installed new fishing line recycling bins around the lake. 
Once rescued, the osprey was admitted to a birds of prey rehabilitator on Colorado’s Front Range, where she was treated for a broken wing. Unfortunately, after months of rehab, the young osprey perished. 
Photo Credit: Courtesy Southern Ute Wildlife
Photo Credit: Courtesy Southern Ute Wildlife
Photo Credit: Courtesy Southern Ute Wildlife
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Osprey snared in fishing line perishes 

Friday - May 17, 2024 by Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum

Since 2006 the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Lake Capote has been the seasonal home for ospreys, giving visitors spectacular viewing opportunities. In 2023, the breeding pair of ospreys successfully hatched two chicks. Annually, the Southern Ute Division of Wildlife Resource Management team monitors the ospreys through leg-banding and a live stream webcam. Through routine monitoring the Wildlife Division observed one of the hatchlings was not actively progressing compared to its sibling.  

On Aug. 9, 2023 concerned there might be a bigger problem at hand, Wildlife staff reviewed the webcam and caught sight of the issue. The young osprey was caught in fishing line. The Wildlife Division sprung to action and freed the osprey and removed any remaining fishing line in the nest.  

Under more careful examination the young osprey appeared healthy, but something else was wrong. The young osprey underwent x-rays which determined she had a broken wing. For the best chance of survival, the osprey was admitted to a birds of prey rehabilitator on Colorado’s Front Range for its best chance to be released back into the wild. Unfortunately, after months of rehab, the young osprey perished. 

“Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for Southern Ute Wildlife staff to have to respond to our young ospreys becoming entangled in fishing line in the nest,” Southern Ute Wildlife Division Head, Aran Johnson said. “Over the years we have had to intervene at least a half dozen times and have even had to remove hooks from the birds.” 

To help prevent a similar situation in the future, the Southern Ute Wildlife Division encourages visitors to practice disposing of waste properly. Sometimes fishing line gets caught and you can’t retrieve it all, but Southern Ute Wildlife asks that you do your best clean it up. Lake Capote has trash cans and newly installed fishing line recycling bins dispersed around the lake. 

“Osprey parents continuously bring new material into the nest by grabbing vegetation off the lake shore,” Johnson explained. “Fishing line, fishing lures, plastic and other trash also get picked up and put into the nest putting the nestlings in danger. We ask that anyone recreating at the lake dispose of their fishing line and trash responsibly to keep Lake Capote beautiful and the wildlife healthy.” 

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