Netting, often used for various purposes such as fishing, sports, or gardening, has become a serious threat to wildlife. While nets serve many human needs, their consequences on the environment and animal life are often overlooked.
One of the primary dangers associated with netting is the entanglement of wildlife. Birds, mammals, and marine life can easily become ensnared in discarded or improperly managed nets. Hundreds of thousands of animals, both marine and on land, die from being trapped in netting each year. Net entanglement leads to injuries, restricted movement, and, in severe cases, fatalities. The animals that struggle to free themselves can be found with severe wounds and stress, affecting their overall health and well-being.
Bill Crisp, a licensed wildlife control operator in Virginia who frequently rescues snakes, shares the particular impacts of netting that he has witnessed in his career. He says that “Garden netting is one of the worst things used by landscape companies, construction companies, and your average homeowner. Thousands of animals are injured and/or die from garden netting each year, not to mention it is not a very humane way to go.” Even though he mainly deals with snakes, Crisp shares “while working in the field I come across birds, owls, even squirrels that have found their way into garden netting. I have spent hundreds of hours educating people about the harm that garden netting does to our wildlife.”
He recounts one instance where he received a call from a homeowner about an adult Ratsnake tangled in garden netting. He says “I was greeted by a VERY concerned and upset lady. This customer had netting around a lot of her flower beds to keep the deer out, but quickly realized that this netting is doing more harm than good. Once I was able to cut the snake away from the bulk of the netting, I began working on the netting that was wrapped around the snake. The customer asked if she could help and of course I said yes. She and I worked to free the snake from the netting and after a nice soak in water, we were able to release it with no injuries.”
Birds, especially, are highly susceptible to the perils of netting. Loose or abandoned fishing nets can pose a significant threat to waterfowl and seabirds. These animals may mistake the netting for nesting material, leading to entanglement or, in the case of seabirds, ingestion. Ingested netting can cause internal injuries, impacting their digestive systems and often proving fatal. Netting used in gardening or construction can trap small mammals, reptiles, and even insects. This poses a threat to the delicate balance of ecosystems, potentially disrupting food chains and biodiversity.
According to the Wildlife Aid Foundation, here are some tips community members can do to help prevent wildlife injuries and deaths:
For those using netting in yards and gardens, it is recommended that netting is placed 18 inches above the ground to allow for small animals to pass through.
A gardener should consider using a solid structure which animals cannot attempt to get through.
When not in use, put soccer nets, volleyball nets, and hammocks away in storage.
Crisp goes on to say that in order to help prevent harm to wildlife, we should “Stop using [netting] 100%! However, knowing that is not realistic for most, providing options to use is the best we can do for now. If garden netting is needed to be used, then try using a harder gauge netting that snakes and other wildlife cannot get tangled up in. If you can do without it, that is best!”
While netting plays a major role in various human activities, its environmental repercussions are undeniable. It is essential for individuals, industries, and policymakers to be mindful of the proper use, disposal, and management of nets to mitigate the adverse effects on wildlife. Through responsible practices, we can contribute to the well-being of our planet’s diverse ecosystems and safeguard the creatures that inhabit them..
Written by Nevie Billis
Nevie Billis is a high school junior from Loudoun County Virginia. She has a passion for wildlife, writing, and reading books. She plans to study wildlife conservation and journalism in college. Nevie is a writer and editor for her high school newspaper and enjoys being part of her school’s crew team. Nevie is inspired by the mission of Wildlife Rescue League and excited to help protect wildlife in her community and beyond.
