An Isle of Wight family were enjoying a bike ride along the Sandown to Shanklin revetment when they spotted a gull in distress at the water’s edge yesterday morning (Wednesday).
Lisa Long was out with her sister-in-law when they spotted the distressed bird at Little Hope beach. Lisa tried to approach the suffering seagull but as she moved closer towards the bird it tried to fly. However, it could only manage to fly about 2 feet.
It very quickly became apparent that the bird had recently picked up some squid bait and now had a hook attached to a weight right through its beak. As a consequence, it was being washed in and out in the surf.
Quick thinking Lisa ran into the sea and managed to scoop the seagull up. Staff from the Wight Water Sports Centre kindly assisted Lisa in the rescue by lending her something to cut the line with, however, the hook that was wedged into the gull’s beak was so large that they had to take the bird home where Lisa’s brother-in-law used pliers to cut it and free the bird.
Luckily for the gull, it hadn’t sustained any serious injury as the hook had gone straight through its nostrils. It is fortunate that Lisa and her sister-in-law found the struggling seagull when they did as it had only narrowly avoided drowning.
Lisa says:
“I’m fully aware that if a line snags there isn’t much a fisherman can do except cut it loose, but this is a sobering reminder of what can happen if fishing tackle is discarded.”
Well done Lisa
That seagull needs rehab he looks hooked on something
The poor wildlife has to suffer, AGAIN due to a human and their irresponsibility! Well done to the family who rescued and freed the gull.
Rubbish fishing is good for mental health As fishing tackle is. Very dear most of us try not to lose it. I feel sorry for the bird. More plastic in the sea kills thousands of birds. Let’s clean that up first not blame fishermen.