A YOUNG swan had a lucky escape after a water taxi pilot spotted it tangled in fishing wire.
Ron Pannell was just starting his shift on Monday and piloting his boat towards the jetty behind Spalding’s South Holland Centre when he saw the cygnet in distress.
He immediately called the RSPCA and was on hand to take animal welfare inspector Andy Bostock out on the water to attend to the stricken bird.
Insp Bostock was able to get hold of the cygnet, release it from the fishing line, which was wrapped around its beak, and return the youngster to its parents unharmed.
Simon Clarke, of Spalding Water Taxi, said: “Ron was just bringing the water taxi into town when he spotted the cygnet and called the RSPCA straight away.
“The inspector arrived quite quickly and Ron took him out so he could cut the young swan free.
“Ron is obviously out on the river quite a lot and has become familiar with the cygnet so he was quite worried about it and was glad to see it was OK after its ordeal.”
The cygnet’s plight underlines the importance of the RSPCA’s seasonal reminder to anglers to be careful with their fishing litter because of the dangers posed to swans and other wildlife.
Head of wildlife Dr Andrew Kelly said: “If people could see some of the sights which come into our wildlife centres, I think they would think twice about what they do with their fishing litter.
“Line wraps around swans causing deep wounds in their flesh, hooks pierce their beaks and weights are swallowed causing internal injuries and blockages.
“It can be heart rending.
“What is so frustrating is that these horrific injuries are so unnecessary and all it takes is a bit of care to avoid them.
“Angling is enjoyed by many people and many anglers invest substantial time and money in improving the waterside environment. The vast majority of them dispose of their unwanted fishing tackle properly.
“Now we need to reach the minority who don’t.”