An owl was rescued after it got tangled overnight in fishing line and was left hanging from a tree on a private fishing lake. Three RSPCA inspectors used a boat to reach the island and cut the owl free, taking it to a wildlife center to recover. The inspector warned that fishing litter can seriously endanger wildlife and urged people to properly dispose of line and hooks.

1. Owl rescued after being tangled in
fishing line and dangled from a tree
Don’t leave litter, warns RSPCA
While some may consider foxes pests, many people like seeing them in their
An owl was rescued by the RSPCAvital part of Britishin fishing line and was people take
gardens and consider them a after it got tangled landscape. A lot of left hanging
precariously from a seeing foxes wandering around, and enjoy the idea of wildlife
great pleasure in tree.
thriving in a seemingly hostile urban environment.
The male tawny owl was spotted on an island
in the middle of a private fishing lake in
Pebmarsh, Essex by a passer-by walking his
dog around the edge. It is believed he had
probably been dangling from the line by the tip
of his wing overnight and most of the day.
The RSPCA were called and three inspectors
paddled a boat to get to the island to cut the
bird free from the line and detangle him. He
was taken to a wildlife centre for a check-up
and later released back to the wild.
Inspector Rosie Russon said the owl was very difficult to see as he was camouflaged and
„playing dead‟ – hanging his head and keeping very still.
She said: “This was a very lucky owl indeed. How the dog-walker spotted him out there, I
really don‟t know.
“There‟s no doubt he would have died if he had not been seen, probably a slow, lingering
death from starvation. He could not have freed himself from that tangle.
“The fact that he „played dead‟ saved his life too. If he had flapped to free himself he would
have broken bones.
“There was a happy ending this time – but there often isn‟t with cases of wildlife and fishing
Contacts litter which can be very damaging to wildlife.
Press office direct lines:
0300 123 0244/0288 “It is so easy to dispose of rubbish properly and we urge people to take greater care – it could
E-mail:
save a life.”
press@rspca.org.uk
Notes to editors
www.rspca.org.uk/media
t: @rspca_official  Images and interviews are available on request
f: facebook.com/rspca
 The RSPCA is working with the Angling Trust, Environment Agency and other swan
Duty press officer rescue organisations through the National Swan Convention to reduce the impact
(evenings and of lost and discarded fishing tackle on British wildlife.
weekends)
Tel 08448 222888  Concerns include that line can wrap round an animal and cut the blood supply to
and ask for pager parts of its body, while hooks, line and weights can be swallowed and cause
number 828825 internal blockages or injury.
Southwater, Horsham  We ask that people take unwanted fishing line home and cut it into small pieces
West Sussex before putting it in the bin. Hooks should be wrapped in newspaper before being
RH13 9RS put in the bin.
Tel 0300 1234 555

2.  Please be aware of surrounding trees and avoid fishing where they may snag lines
– discarded line caught up in foliage causes problems for wildlife.
 Please don’t leave baited tackle unattended – always remove the bait from the
hook and place the tackle in a safe place.
 Please use a bait box so that there is no chance of leaving an empty bait tin behind
by mistake.
Contacts
Press office direct lines:
0300 123 0244/0288
E-mail:
press@rspca.org.uk
www.rspca.org.uk/media
t: @rspca_official
f: facebook.com/rspca
Duty press officer
(evenings and
weekends)
Tel 08448 222888
and ask for pager
number 828825
Southwater, Horsham
West Sussex
RH13 9RS
Tel 0300 1234 0048