Litter plea after gull tangled in string put down

A herring gull left tangled in string had to be put down, prompting a litter warning from the RSPCA.

The young bird was spotted tightly wrapped in the material while up on a telegraph pole on Winston Terrace, Bradford, on 29 May.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service managed to cut the string and partially free the gull, but the bird had to be euthanised due to the extent of its injuries.

"This is such a sad incident and highlights the dangers of litter to wildlife," the RSPCA's Hannah Westen said.

"While still trailing the string, the juvenile herring gull flew from a telegraph pole to the top of a high tree," the animal rescue officer said.

"He flew down to the ground, still entangled, with the other end of the string caught in the top of the tree."

The fire service put the bird in a cardboard box and contacted the RSPCA for further support.

"On closer examination at the vets, we could see that the string was tightly wrapped round the poor bird's right wing multiple times, which suggests he had been spiralling around," Ms Westen said.

"We managed to get the string off, but it was clear his feathers were so damaged that there was no hope of rehabilitation."

The RSPCA urged people to hold on to litter until they find an opportunity to dispose or recycle it safely and responsibly.

"As we all strive to create a better world for every animal, this could save an animal's life," she added.

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