Poor swan saved after getting barbed fishing hook stuck in NECK for THREE WEEKS

A swan has been saved after getting a barbed fishing hook stuck in his NECK for THREE WEEKS.

The graceful white bird was struggling to breath and if it was just millimetres deeper it would have killed him.

The hook had caused swelling which had nearly blocked his trachea.

Rescuers were forced to take the swan on a 70-mile trip to have it removed.

The daddy bird – who lived in a lake with its mate and two cygnets – had had the hook there for about three weeks.

The RSPCA were called in and managed to capture the swan at Capesthorne Hall, in Macclesfield, Cheshire.

Due to avian flu outbreak precautions, the swan was taken to The Veterinary Health Centre, in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire.

An X-ray revealed how deep the hook had gone in the bird’s neck and how swollen it was

Vet Siuna Reid successfully removed the hook and a short section of fishing line.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Sonia Hulme said: “The skin where the hook had pierced the swan’s neck had started to heal over so we think this poor bird had been struggling like this for several weeks.

“He sounded really wheezy and was struggling to breath.

“The ring of swelling you can see on the X-ray was caused by his body trying to expel the hook.

“If he hadn’t been caught, this would have got worse as it was just milimetres away from blocking his airway.”

She added: “I’m so grateful to the team at The Veterinary Health Centre Ltd for admitting him and operating so quickly.

“Time is of the essence when adult swans have got cygnets, so it was wonderful to be able to reunite him with his family, safe and well, later that evening.

“Although most anglers are responsible and do clean up after themselves, fishing litter is still a major problem and it can be so damaging to wildlife.

“Carelessly discarded fishing line, hooks and netting can cause terrible injuries, as this incident illustrates, and water birds are particularly vulnerable.

“We strongly urge those who enjoy fishing to be extra cautious to make sure nothing is left behind.

“It only takes one piece of snagged line to get caught up in a tree or dropped near the water to cause potential catastrophe for wildlife.”

ENDS