A coot found swimming round in circles after getting its feet entangled in fishing tackle was rescued by the RSPCA.
It has prompted a reminder from the charity for anglers to be careful with their tackle after being called to rescue the bird in Straight Road, Manea.
The coot got tied to the bottom of a pond. The line had got wrapped around his foot several times and then tangled in something at the bottom.
An RSPCA inspector was called and swam 50 metres out to the bird in the centre of the pond, cut him loose, then swam back with him.
Richard Lythgoe said: “The fishing line had got into quite a tangle, and this poor bird had no chance of escaping it without help.
“He was spinning around as he swam in increasingly tiny circles which must have been pretty stressful. If he had not been spotted and rescued, it is likely he would have just starved to death in a slow, horrible way.
“What is frustrating is that these kinds of incidents are so easily avoided by people taking care when disposing of their fishing litter.
“Of course, most anglers are incredibly responsible when getting rid of their tackle, and take care to dispose of it properly. But it only takes one thoughtless person to carelessly toss aside a bit of line or float with horrific consequences.”
The coot is now at the charity’s East Winch Wildlife Centre near King’s Lynn being cared for and nursed back to health. It is hoped that if he recovers from his ordeal properly he will be released back to the wild.
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