Taking images of a struggling bird - a question regarding Photography Ethics

[Patty15]

These scenes can be educational and aimed at fishermen about the need to be concerned about snagged lures. At least I hope that is the case.

We always post in groups about the detriment of leaving lines and lures. My husband says it's not always possible to collect line if it's caught in a tree or other place unaccessable to the fishermen. However, there's been many times we've gone out to take photos and find fishing line all over, easily picked up by us and properly disposed of.

 

[Alistair]

Roughly a week ago, right after sunrise, I arrived at the Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir, India, in search of Little Bitterns. On the lookout, my local bird guide pointed me to a Black Kite, entangled in water lilies. The moment I spotted the bird, I jumped into action and gave it a few bursts, assuming the bird might free itself any time. Honestly, my first thought was, well, that's a great opportunity to take action shots. A few moments later, my brain told me "taking pictures of a bird struggling for its life is a no-go", because it then became clear to me, that the bird, despite its efforts, most likely won't be able to free itself. Hence, my question re "photography ethics". Any comments or what defines "photography ethics" ? Thx !

Personally, I would not hesitate to assist the bird in those circumstances.

 

[Frank Haugwitz]

If it is a natural event and you had no hand in the actual event and it would have happened with or without you being there* than there are no ethical limits or obligations.

If you had a hand in the event or other humans had (e.g: bird caught in a fishing net) then you do.

*to the best of your knowledge and ability to evaluate the situation.

Yes, it was a natural event and not possible to help the bird either. I guess, at the end of the day, the one has to make up its mind whether this is ok (taking images of a struggling bird) or not. Thx

 

[Frank Haugwitz]

I guess there are “moral or ethical limits” which in my view become a personal decision. There are thousands of nature documentaries showing predation events and animals struggling in their natural environment and these documentaries are generally rated for public viewing. For me I shoot for the beauty of nature so wouldn’t shoot a struggling bird yet I have taken images of raptors predating on their preferred ‘food’ type. E.g Ospreys taking fish. If I did decide to photograph a struggling animal and decided to post it I would post a warning so a potential viewer knows what they might see and can then decide to view the image or not.

Thanks ! Yes, it boils down to a personal decision at the end of the day. I have decided to keep the images to myself, no posting, etc

 

[Frank Haugwitz]

I guess my personal opinion is this: if the scene is entirely natural with no human involvement there is no moral/ethical duty to do anything because it would have happened with or without a human observer. If the scene is caused by human disturbance (caught in plastic, etc.) then I’d free the animal to the best of my ability because it was an “unnatural” situation. Although I may take a pic to demonstrate humanity’s impact on wildlife

I guess my personal opinion is this: if the scene is entirely natural with no human involvement there is no moral/ethical duty to do anything because it would have happened with or without a human observer. If the scene is caused by human disturbance (caught in plastic, etc.) then I’d free the animal to the best of my ability because it was an “unnatural” situation. Although I may take a pic to demonstrate humanity’s impact on wildlife.

Honestly, that thought "demonstrate humanity's impact on wildlife" hasn't crossed my mind. Thanks !

 

[Frank Haugwitz]

Depends. If you're photographing a predator eating a baby herd animal alive, it sucks but it's just nature and you not taking the photographs isn't going to change what happens. You interfering would be a bad thing as it would cost the predator and maybe her babies a meal.
In the situation you described, would it have been legal for you to go free the bird? If it were legal, I would have done it. If it was against the law, then there's nothing you can do except report it to the local fish and wildlife people (if such an agency exists for the area). But I still would have taken the photos. It's a natural struggle and part of being a wildlife photographer is documenting natural struggles.

In this specific case, I assume it would have been legal to free the bird. However, the lake too deep, the bird too far away from the shores, too much waterlilies, hence, no help possible that morning. Yes, it was a natural struggle and part of daily wildlife. Thx !

 

[Frank Haugwitz]

i don’t really have “a problem” with people photographing things, but i will say as i’ve grown older there are an increasing number of things i am uninterested in capturing or looking at and this would probably fit into that category as well as the myriad of animals being pursued by predators, etc.

i know this is life, but like the news, i have decreasing interest in immersing my brain in it.

I can relate to that ! Thx

 

[Frank Haugwitz]

I'm not sure whether it was practical, but the biggest ethical question is related to whether or not you help the struggling bird. If practical, most would be in favor of helping to save the bird. There are many animal rescues and volunteers that support medical care and recovery of injured wildlife. Freeing a struggling or injured bird if possible, would be the ethically correct approach. To be clear, I would not expect someone to swim across a lake or take other risks for a bird - so it's a matter of what's involved in the specific situation.

The other aspect to this is the use or purpose of photos. Personally, I don't normally take photos of injured or struggling animals because I don't like that kind of photo. It's not something I'll put on a wall, and is documentary rather than artistic in nature. It might have an editorial or scientific use if you get it in the hands of the right people. For example, the there might be discussions about the plant being invasive and the need to clean out the pond or lake - and with that context the photo can support that objective.

I don't think taking photos causes any harm to the subject - and it is something that occurs naturally. But ethics involves the gray area - the area of uncertainty. How would you feel sharing that photo with family members or hanging it on your wall? What is the story you are trying to tell - about the wildlife you saved or the wildlife you watched while it struggled and died?

Unfortunately, I had no means to help. A, the lake too deep, b) the bird too far away from the shores, and c) too much of waterlilies to get across anyway, hence, I had to leave the bird struggling. I assume, the locals may not care much, bc black kites are all over the place, hence, one more less doesn't make a difference. I may use the picture for educational purposes. Yes, it won't be a wall-hanger. Thx !

 

[Frank Haugwitz]

Here is a photo I made of an animal that was injured. I took the photo to document the injury, showed the image then sent it to the concession manager at the Okefenokee, and they routed it to the Park Ranger. The alligator was captured, the hook removed, and the alligator was relocated to another area. I was probably 8-10 feet from the 3 foot long alligator when I made this image - but I had no intention of trying to catch it or "rescue" it.

In this case everyone guessed that someone tried to catch an alligator with bait using this hook. The hook did not dislodge itself after several months. The alligators in the small pond had been fed by people and approached looking for handouts. That's a bad combination for a big alligator that can move short distances at 30 mph.

View attachment 98679

If you have the corresponding facilities, like animal rescue center, great, but in Kashmir / India, such facilities doesn't exist, unless we talk about snow leopard.

 

[Frank Haugwitz]

I took this photo in the Black Hills near Piedmont, SD
There was no way to corral it so I called the Dept of Game, Fish, & Parks, sent the photo and location.
I kept an eye on it until the officer showed up and then left.View attachment 98686

That looks brutal !

 

[Frank Haugwitz]

I shot an image of a snapping turtle tangled in fishing line. I did it so I could send it to the park ranger. Later in the day the ranger reached out saying they freed the turtle. It was a big old one about the size of a garbage can lid. I did not keep or publish the image. If I had been there when they freed it I would have documented it.

I don’t think there would be an ethical question in the case of your bird since it was natural. If it were somehow human caused you could use the images to educate people about the consequences of actions or careless activity.

Yes, it was 100% natural. I may use the image for educational purposes. Thx !

 

[Frank Haugwitz]

I once photographed a Bald Eagle nestling that had fallen from its nest a few weeks before fledging. It fell in the river and learned to swim real fast. I did it mostly to document what happened since it was a local nest. In most cases, our Game Commission in western PA leaves them be, assuming the parents will take care of it. This eaglet eventually managed to get himself out of the river and a few days later was rescued since it appeared the parents were no longer around (long story). He was taken to rehab where he was treated and taught to fly. A month later, I was invited to his release back to the wild.

I have since been trained in wildlife rescue, so I might try to help if I was able (they teach us not to put ourselves in danger.) Bald eagles are off limits for us without additional training and certification, but we have rescued a hawk and done some transport to a rehab center.

In my case with the black kite, there aren't any animal rescue facilities. Myself, I had no means to help, bc the water too deep, the bird too far away from the shores and too much after waterlilies to get across anyway. I assume such a black kite is considered of less value vs for instance a snow leopard. Thx !

 

[Frank Haugwitz]

I believe photography is a "communicative art". The artist creates an image to impact the viewer in some way: marvel beauty in nature, learn about unique animals and birds and be motivated to preserve the natural environment, understand war/poverty/crime/homelessness and feel empathy and perhaps act, learn about different cultures and appreciate diversity of daily life, see the strength and skills of athletes and appreciate their dedication to the sport. , etc., etc., etc.

When a scene or subject causes a reaction in me.......I often want to share that experience with others through an image I create.

In the scene you describe, I think my sadness over the hopeless plight of the bird would cause me to look away - and take no image. For me it is not a question of ethics....it's just a personal decision.

At the end of the day, taking images of a struggling bird didn't feel right to me "AFTER" I took a couple of shots. Anyway, I may use the image for educational purposes! Thx!

 

[Frank Haugwitz]

As most people expressed, it's a personal choice to take the photo or to share it. Last year I witnessed the most bizarre mallard behaviour. There were three males chasing a female, so I had just gotten my Z8 and wanted to try out the video. As I'm recording, the three males gang raped the female. Literally. Two were pinning her down while third one raped her while they were all pecking her head. And they took turns. After researching this odd behaviour, it appears that it's part of mallard behaviour. I wanted to help the female, but it's nature. I thought about sharing the video as a documentary style, given the oddity of the encounter, but didn't feel right. It simply boiled down to my choice every step of the way.

Same here, it didn't feel right. Hence, I may use the images for educational purposes. Yes, at the end of the day it is a personal choice. Thx!

 

[Frank Haugwitz]

Caught up on a fishing hook---flew off after struggles , bad sceneView attachment 98811View attachment 98812View attachment 98813View attachment 98814View attachment 98815

Brutal, but reality and as others pointed out, such images could be used to educate fishermen, etc. Thx!

 

[Patty15]

In my case with the black kite, there aren't any animal rescue facilities. Myself, I had no means to help, bc the water too deep, the bird too far away from the shores and too much after waterlilies to get across anyway. I assume such a black kite is considered of less value vs for instance a snow leopard. Thx

A person's perceived value of the wildlife has nothing to do with it. Our facility here will take in all kinds of wildlife, even the invasive non-native Canada Geese, which many parks would like to get rid of.

But again, it goes back to your safety. It would be foolish for anyone to try to rescue any wildlife that might be dangerous for them to attempt.

 

[EricBowles]

I also heard a story from a ranger in the Everglades. A visitor decided to help a great blue heron tangled in fishing line. The bird speared the person through the skull and killed them. I have no reason to believe otherwise. Great blue herons are large and powerful, and they often spear food.

 

[Patty15]

I also heard a story from a ranger in the Everglades. A visitor decided to help a great blue heron tangled in fishing line. The bird speared the person through the skull and killed them. I have no reason to believe otherwise. Great blue herons are large and powerful, and they often spear food.

We are warned about rescuing Great Blues. It's true they can be very dangerous.