Fishing tackle harms two birds in Greater Manchester

Animal charity the RSPCA is warning against discarded fishing litter after the two birds were harmed and required rescuing in separate incidents across the region.

A pigeon was left "hanging from a tree" over the reservoir in Alexandra Park, Edgeley, on Monday, April 17.

RSPCA inspector, Deborah Beats, and firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service rescued the helpless animal which was trapped about 30ft (9m) up the tree.

The pigeon was found hanging upside down over a lake (Image: RSPCA)

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A firefighter used reach and rescue poles to free the pigeon which was found dangling by one of its wings from a branch.

Thankfully, the bird was able to fly away after it was cut free.

But just six days earlier, a juvenile swan was also rescued by the RSPCA team.

Animal rescue officer, Helen Chapman, found the swan had a fishing hook with a ball weight lodged in its beak.

The charity's officers made several attempts to catch the swan which was found with the injury on the top lake at Myrtle Road, Middleton.

Once captured, the bird was taken to Ashleigh Veterinary Centre in Firswood and given pain relief, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

The swan has a permanent hole in its tongue (Image: RSPCA)

However, while the swan has been re-released, the hook had pierced through the bird's peak and his tongue and has left him with a permanent hole.

Now the RSPCA is issuing a warning about the problem after finding nearly 50 per cent (1,510) of litter-related calls to the charity were about animals that had become caught in discarded fishing tackle.

The charity is now calling on people who enjoy angling to carefully dispose of their equipment.

Helen said: “We’d like to thank the fire brigade and the vets for their support and assistance with both of these incidents which sadly are not uncommon.

"Fishing litter in our waterways is a major problem and it is so damaging to wildlife.

"Carelessly discarded fishing lines, hooks and netting can have a terrible toll on animals.

"Discarded line in particular is a terrible hazard, particularly as it can be almost invisible and water birds are especially vulnerable."

The rescue officer said while most anglers are responsible, "it only takes one piece of snagged line to be left in a tree or dropped near the water to endanger the life of an animal".

“We ask anglers to follow the Angling Trust 'anglers against Litter campaign' and make use of recycling schemes to dispose of their waste tackle", she added.

Carelessly discarded waste in general is a significant problem for animals, with almost 10,500 incidents involving birds and mammals maimed or even killed by rubbish reported to the RSPCA in the last three years - an average of nearly ten reports a day.  

The charity is also concerned about the new danger caused by discarded vapes, which contain a variety of materials and poisonous substances including plastic, lithium and nicotine, all of which can be hazardous to animals when not disposed of properly.

Looking after wildlife is the theme for the RSPCA’s participation in the Big Help Out - a large community volunteering initiative which is marking the King’s Coronation on May 8.

The RSPCA is urging animal lovers to sign up to become Wildlife Friends and pledge to complete some simple tasks to help wildlife on their doorstep.

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