A northern Colorado state park that’s known for its wildlife has released a press release urging caution after a scary trend has reared its head.

According to the report, the raptor monitor at St. Vrain State Park in Longmont found a dead osprey on Friday morning, said to have been hanging from a nest platform by a fishing line. An investigation into the situation revealed that the bird had swallows several feet of fishing line and hooks, ultimately getting the lead weight on the line caught in nesting material with this making it so the bird couldn’t escape to the ground or back into the nest.

The park notes that several geese, herons, pelicans, and turtles have also been found either severely injured or dead from fish hook-related incidents so far this summer.

In the case involving the death of the osprey, it is believed that the bird ate a fish on an unattended line that had either been caught or used as bait. With no one believed to be around, the bird likely swooped in to consume the fish, with that action proving to be fatal.

“Somebody’s actions killed this bird, and other folks leaving their lines, litter, and illegal chum are causing more animals to get injured or die,” read a statement from the park. “You don’t have to take part in the killing if you simply Leave No Trace.”

Leaving fishing lines unattended is a dangerous practice, as put on display in this scenario. If a fish is caught and left in wait, it becomes what appears to be an easy meal for other animals. Unfortunately, the fishing line itself and the hook it’s caught on can have deadly consequences for a hungry predator. For this reason, don’t leave fishing lines unattended and remove fish that get caught in a timely manner.