outlaw fishers using barbed hooks, forbidden in the park. It is illegal to harm park wildlife, so fishermen rarely report their misdeeds, intentional or accidental, leaving waterfowl lovers to save the birds on an ad hoc basis.

Prospect Park Alliance spokesman Eugene Patron said Parks Department officers can issue summonses for fishing with barbed hooks, but he was unsure to what extent these officers patrol in the winter months.

If you see an injured animal, you should call 311 or tell Parks personnel, Patron said.

gbuiso@cnglocal.com