Swan and pigeon rescues prompt RSPCA to reiterate warning over discarded fishing litter

A juvenile swan was rescued after a fishing hook with a ball weight attached, had gone through the bird’s beak and pierced his tongue

A pigeon was left hanging from a tree over a lake and a swan will have a permanent hole in his tongue after both birds were victims of carelessly discarded fishing tackle following two incidents in Greater Manchester.

The juvenile swan was rescued by animal rescue officer Helen Chapman, after a fishing hook with a ball weight attached, had gone through the bird’s beak and pierced his tongue.

The charity’s officers had made several attempts to catch the swan, which was spotted on the top lake at Myrtle Road in Middleton. Taken to Ashleigh Veterinary Centre in Stretford and given pain relief, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, the bird has since been re-released, although damage caused by the hook has left a permanent hole in his tongue.

Six days later, firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, assisted by RSPCA inspector Deborah Beats, used reach and rescue poles to get to the pigeon which was trapped about 30 feet (nine metres) up a tree overhanging the reservoir in Alexandra Park in Edgeley.

Left dangling by one of its wings from a branch, the pigeon was thankfully uninjured and able to fly away after being cut free by a firefighter.

Nearly 50 per cent (1,510) of all litter-related calls to the RSPCA last year were about animals that had become caught in discarded fishing tackle, and the charity has renewed its call to 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 line, 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.

“We strongly urge those who enjoy fishing to be extra cautious to make sure nothing is left behind. Most anglers are responsible when disposing of their litter, but 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.”

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.