What’s on the TV? A bird called Bolt
AHAWK had to be rescued and returned to its owner after becoming trapped on a TV aerial in Southport.
The rescue was carried out by the RSPCA and firefighters who attended the scene at The Crescent, on 30 January 30.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident after a member of the public saw the bird entangled in the aerial.
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The Harris hawk was snared by his jesses, the short straps fixed around the bird’s ankle to help control it while training, and was unable to get free.
Fire crews arrived to assist the RSPCA team, who were unable to get access to the roof.
The fire crew used an aerial appliance to help animal collection officer (ACO) Kelly Nix, who was lifted alongside a crew member to recover the bird of prey. Using special handling gloves, she was able to secure the bird’s body and head while a firefighter cut it free. The bird, named Bolt, was wearing a ring which identified the owner.
ACO Nix said: “It was great that the fire service were on hand to assist in this rescue and it was good for me that the bird was tame and was used to being handled.
“I was so pleased that we could reunite Bolt with his owner, who was obviously worried about him.
“He said he had escaped during training.
“Bolt did have some superficial injuries to his legs which have been treated by the vet and he is now recovering well from his ordeal.”
To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and finding homes for animals in need of care visit: www.rspca.org.uk