Anglers, mind your fishing lines and gear to avoid causing unintentional harm

A white egret dangling motionlessly with its wing splayed open, snagged on fishing line wrapped around branches. — Photos: ARNOLD LOH

As soon as I saw the stark white shape amidst a sea of greens and browns in the distance, I braced myself for what lay ahead.

Ornithophobia had been a mild affliction of mine since childhood, likely stemming from an incident involving a boisterous cockerel my mother once brought home.