Swan rescued after fishing hook and line Became embedded in tongue

Anglers have been urged to safely dispose of netting, lines and hooks after a swan was found with a fishing hook embedded in his tongue. The RSPCA was called after a member of the public spotted the distressed male swan at Warren's Hall Country Park in Rowley Regis.

Visitors to the park said the swan had been spotted with a fishing line coming out of his mouth for a couple of days and were concerned for his well-being.

RSPCA inspector Nayman Dunderdale was called to the scene and was able to entice the swan towards him with food and remove the hook from his tongue.

The swan appeared unscathed so was released back to his waiting partner.

Inspector Dunderdale said: “The swan was obviously distressed and will have been struggling to feed. I took out a small size 18 hook with a weight and line attached and luckily he seemed unharmed.

“Fishing litter in our waterways is a major problem and it is so damaging to wildlife.

"I would urge people to be responsible and remember to take home any litter if you go fishing – discarded lines and hooks can easily snag water birds and other wildlife, causing terrible injuries and suffering.”

For information about about disposing of fishing litter correctly, visit www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/litter/fishing.