Warning over dangers to wildlife from garden netting

THE RSPCA is warning of the dangers of tree, fruit and pond netting following the death of a woodpecker found entangled in the fabric in Devon.

The animal welfare charity was called to help on Saturday after the bird was unable to get free from netting on a fruit tree in Cullompton.

RSPCA Inspector Marije Zwager said: “Netting like this is potentially lethal to wild animals and birds. They can end up with life-threatening injuries by getting their legs, wings or beaks tangled in the netting or, if not spotted by anyone who can help free them, they can eventually starve to death.

“Unfortunately, we get called to a lot of incidents where wildlife have got themselves caught in netting and as a result suffer fatal injuries from struggling to get themselves free like this poor woodpecker.”

The charity recommends replacing fruit or pond netting with solid metal mesh, and putting away sports nets when not in use to prevent other animals from suffering. It is also important to check netting regularly to ensure no animals have become trapped, the RSPCA adds.

Other wildlife-friendly garden tips recommended by the RSPCA include making sure that ponds have steps, ramps or sloped edges to allow wild animals such as hedgehogs to escape, checking for wildlife such as toads when strimming or mowing areas usually left untouched and replacing pesticides – in particular slug pellets that can kill cats and dogs – with egg shells, coffee grounds or fine sand.

The charity also called for donations through its website – rspca. org.uk/covid – to enable the rescue of animals and the continued opening of its hospitals and centres during these unprecedented times.

The RSPCA hotline number is 0300 1234 999.

Suzanne Norbury The great spotted woodpecker recovered dead from netting put around a tree in Cullompton, Devon