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Published:
June 6, 2009
In
photos: Injured swan retrieved from Burnham-On-Sea lake
A rescue boat was used to retrieve this injured swan from a Burnham-On-Sea
lake on Friday evening (June 5th) after a razor-sharp fishing
hook became embedded in its beak.
 The
female swan had been spotted in an agitated state by staff at
Lakeside Holiday Park, who contacted local wildlife charity Secret
World, who in turn called for the help of Burnham's BARB rescue
boat.
Secret
World volunteer Terry Gratton told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "The
bird had swallowed a length of fishing line, leaving it with a
barbed hook embedded in its beak. This was causing it pain and
some bleeding."
"It
couldn't be reached from the lake's banks, so the help of the
BARB rescue boat was much appreciated."
BARB
crewmembers Ellie West and Al Humphries used a net to capture
the swan and bring it to the shore where Secret World's carers
took it away for treatment.
A
crowd of 50 holidaymakers at the park watched the rescue unfold
from the banks of the lake.
Two
members of the holiday park's staff, Richard Hearle and Jamie
Bennett, also helped the rescue efforts using their rowing boat.
The
bird was taken away by Secret World for treatment and has since
been returned back to its young family on the lake.
BARB's
rescue boat during Friday's rescue, watched by holidaymakers
Spots
of blood were visible on the neck of the swan, seen here with
its young
The
fishing line could clearly be seen hanging from the beak of the
swan
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