A WORRIED animal lover called firefighters to rescue a distressed young gull trapped 35 feet up against a city building.

The bird became trapped between a window and an outer mesh cover at the front of a window on the building on Tolladine Road.

The bird had got itself into "big trouble" and firefighters closed the road while the rescue took place on Friday (July 21).

Thea Kerrison, RSPCA chief inspector, along with Emily Cheeseman, RSPCA inspector, were sent to the scene. 

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She said: “The gull had unfortunately managed to get through the small smashed window from the inside of the building and then had become trapped between the glass and mesh covering.

“He had really got into a bit of trouble and wasn’t able to free himself at all.”

A crew from Worcester Fire Station rescued the bird, and the road was briefly closed. The crew used a nine-metre ladder and small tools for the rescue, freeing the bird quickly.

Thea Kerrison said: "The rescue was so quick and efficient  - thanks to the fire service - it didn't cause much of a hold-up.

“The gull has now gone to a wildlife speciality facility for care and rehabilitation. He did seem to have quite bad feather damage, but hopefully, he will be okay.

“Once again we’d like to thank the fire service for their assistance, professionalism, and help to rescue this bird who really has had a lucky escape.”

The RSPCA recommends that anyone with netting installed on their property sets up a system to check regularly for trapped birds and to ensure any netting is in good repair.

Problems arise when netting is put up incorrectly or becomes damaged, leaving gaps where birds can enter and become trapped.

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The birds become exhausted and are often badly injured by the netting and can sometimes suffer a long and painful death from injury or starvation if they are not spotted in time.

Anyone who has seen dead birds in netting, or are aware of a regular issue of birds becoming trapped in netting, can forward the address, property owner and date of the incident to wildlife@rspca.org.uk.