The RSPCA has sent out a warning to local fishers after an owl died following an incident on the Rochdale Canal.
The charity was contacted after someone spotted a live tawny owl hanging by its wing from the branch of a tree overhanging the canal at Clegg Hall Road, Littleborough, Rochdale on August 29.
An RSPCA animal rescue officer, David Cottingham, attended the scene where he contacted his colleague, inspector Deborah Beats.
Ms Beats entered the water wearing a dry suit, and successfully captured the owl using a special extending pole.
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Despite the successful rescue, the bird was taken to a local vet where a fishing hook had to be removed from one of his wings. His condition deteriorated and he later died, most likely from shock and trauma.
According to the RSPCA, it received 1,254 calls about fishing litter across England and Wales last year, with around half of these calls made between June and September.
Greater Manchester was one of the worst affected, with 71 incidents.
Staffordshire (75), Merseyside (60), the West Midlands (58) and Greater London (56) also received high numbers of reports.
The agency says it has responded to other similar incidents in recent months, including the successful rescue of a swan from a fishing lake in Middleton, which had a hole in its tongue after a fishing hook with a ball weight pierced it.
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David Cottingham said: “We work hard to rescue as many of these stricken animals as we can.
“Thankfully, many can be saved, but a lot of care, treatment and rehabilitation may be needed as a result.
“Others, like this owl, aren’t so lucky, and sometimes their injuries, or the sheer stress and exhaustion from their ordeal proves too much.
“Incidents like this are especially disheartening when there is such a simple solution: clear up your litter - whether it’s fishing-related or general - and take it home with you.
“Many experienced anglers are very responsible when it comes to wildlife and taking care of their equipment, but we would urge those who may be new to the activity to be extra cautious about making sure they clear up.”
The agency has now asked anglers to follow the Angling Trust’s ‘take five’ campaign by taking five minutes at the end of every fishing session to pick up litter, even if not your own.
The RSPCA has encouraged anglers to make use of recycling schemes to dispose of tackle and line, to be aware of surrounding trees, to always keep bait attended, and to use a reusable bait container.
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