A POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP
While kite-flying festivals may not be as ubiquitous in other parts of the world, pretty much every country has a good number of kite enthusiasts. And it’s easy to understand why so many people love the activity. Be it a homemade construct crafted from crepe paper and bamboo or a state-of-the-art contraption that utilizes space-age material, every kite is a joy to behold as it dances in the air, painting a pattern of colors against the canvas of blue sky.
None of them, however, is immune to the pull of earth’s gravity or the whims of the wind. And quite often, even the most skillfully built kite will come spiraling down to the ground.
Sometimes, the owner heads out in search of the downed kite, but often in the case of homemade or cheap models, the kite is simply given up for lost. Thus, its string remains stretched between tree branches or utility wires, nearly invisible to the eye, and is potentially deadly to anyone who gets entangled.
Type in “kite,” “string,” and “birds” into the Google image search engine and you’ll be greeted by dozens of photographs of avians who were injured or killed by kite string. Some of the most disturbing ones show the skeletal remains of birds hanging from a line, their carcasses still sparsely feathered.
The most dangerous types of common kite string are those made of synthetic, nonbiodegradable material. Such lines can remain in place for years, a constant threat to flying creatures. But even biodegradable strings, such as those made from cotton, can be dangerous. The string that had snagged the wing of the Yellow-vented Bulbul I rescued was common, everyday sewing thread.
The most dangerous types of common kite string are those made of synthetic, non-biodegradable material. . . But even biodegradable strings, such as those made from cotton, can be dangerous.