Mallard ducks entangled with fishing line on the Cleddau River rescued
Two ducks entangled in fishing line have been released following a joint rescue operation by the RSPCA and fire service at the Cleddau River.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer and Wildlife Officer Ellie West was called to attend to the two male mallards on Saturday 28 September as they had become entangled in line on the river near Quay Street, Haverfordwest.
“When I arrived it was luckily low tide and the two males were easily found in the middle of the river,” said Ellie.
“Although I was unable to see what they were entangled in - it did appear they seemed pretty exhausted from trying to get themselves free. However when I arrived they had been able to stand and sit on a rocky area and rest a little.”
Although the water was low at this point, it would have not been safe for Ellie to attempt a solo rescue. “I also know from local knowledge about the dangers of this part of the river once water level is higher,” she said.
Ellie subsequently reached out to Mid and West Wales Fire and Service and crew members from Haverfordwest Fire Station arrived promptly.
She said: “The crew were able to walk out to the ducks in their dry suits and use my nets to contain the mallards and then walk them back to dry land and meet me.
“They were brilliant as usual and we are incredibly thankful for their assistance.”
Unfortunately the two ducks were badly entangled with fishing line around their legs so Ellie sought the assistance of her colleague RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben.
“The line was cut from both ducks to allow us to work on one duck at a time with the other safely confined in a dark quiet box,” said Ellie.
“Sadly the quieter duck had a line so tightly embedded around his leg it had cut the circulation off and wounds were down to the bone. He also had wounds to the outer edges of its wings where he had been bashing them trying to free itself.”
As rehabilitation would not have been possible and to prevent suffering, this duck was put to sleep. Thankfully the other duck was much stronger and only had the line wrapped around his leg lightly which hadn’t caused any injury.
“He was alert and active with no wounds so he was returned to the river straight away for release where he flew off happily,” said Ellie.
“When I returned to the river to release the duck (video is available here) the tide was much higher and it was obvious if we had waited any longer to perform the rescue earlier the ducks would have been swept away on the high water a long time ago.
“A sad outcome for one duck but a lucky outcome for the other.”
Around 40% of all litter-related calls to the RSPCA across England and Wales in 2023 were about animals that had specifically become caught in fishing litter.
Ellie added: “It’s simple - when people are out and about, we urge them to hold on to their litter until there is an opportunity to dispose of it safely and responsibly - or recycle where appropriate. As we all strive to create a better world for every animal, this could save an animal’s life.“
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer and Wildlife Officer Ellie West was called to attend to the two male mallards on Saturday 28 September as they had become entangled in line on the river near Quay Street, Haverfordwest.
“When I arrived it was luckily low tide and the two males were easily found in the middle of the river,” said Ellie.
“Although I was unable to see what they were entangled in - it did appear they seemed pretty exhausted from trying to get themselves free. However when I arrived they had been able to stand and sit on a rocky area and rest a little.”
Although the water was low at this point, it would have not been safe for Ellie to attempt a solo rescue. “I also know from local knowledge about the dangers of this part of the river once water level is higher,” she said.
Ellie subsequently reached out to Mid and West Wales Fire and Service and crew members from Haverfordwest Fire Station arrived promptly.
She said: “The crew were able to walk out to the ducks in their dry suits and use my nets to contain the mallards and then walk them back to dry land and meet me.
“They were brilliant as usual and we are incredibly thankful for their assistance.”
Unfortunately the two ducks were badly entangled with fishing line around their legs so Ellie sought the assistance of her colleague RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben.
“The line was cut from both ducks to allow us to work on one duck at a time with the other safely confined in a dark quiet box,” said Ellie.
“Sadly the quieter duck had a line so tightly embedded around his leg it had cut the circulation off and wounds were down to the bone. He also had wounds to the outer edges of its wings where he had been bashing them trying to free itself.”
As rehabilitation would not have been possible and to prevent suffering, this duck was put to sleep. Thankfully the other duck was much stronger and only had the line wrapped around his leg lightly which hadn’t caused any injury.
“He was alert and active with no wounds so he was returned to the river straight away for release where he flew off happily,” said Ellie.
“When I returned to the river to release the duck (video is available here) the tide was much higher and it was obvious if we had waited any longer to perform the rescue earlier the ducks would have been swept away on the high water a long time ago.
“A sad outcome for one duck but a lucky outcome for the other.”
Around 40% of all litter-related calls to the RSPCA across England and Wales in 2023 were about animals that had specifically become caught in fishing litter.
Ellie added: “It’s simple - when people are out and about, we urge them to hold on to their litter until there is an opportunity to dispose of it safely and responsibly - or recycle where appropriate. As we all strive to create a better world for every animal, this could save an animal’s life.“
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