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Wildlife rehab helps save gull

Gibsons
Gull
This wounded gull is recovering after an operation to remove a fish hook it had swallowed.

The staff at Gibsons Wildlife Rehab and several concerned residents recently came to the aid of a gull found trapped and entangled in a fishing line.

The line was around the gull and a rock, completely trapping the bird.

Thanks to a nearby boater who cut the gull free from the rock and passer-by Siew Sim who removed most of the fishing line, the gull was then brought to the Centre for care.

Unfortunately the gull had swallowed the fishing hook, so staff had him X-rayed at Sechelt Animal Hospital to determine where the hook was. The X-ray showed it was embedded far down in the bird’s oesophagus.

“Our sincere thanks goes to Dr. Heather James and veterinary student Felix Mischko who, along with Clint [Davie of the Rehab Centre], tirelessly worked for a number of hours trying to remove the hook, first using an endoscope and flexible clamp and ultimately operating on the gull,” said a post on the Rehab Centre’s Facebook page.

“The hook was successfully removed and we are happy to report that the gull is recovering well. He is on antibiotics and pain killers and when the medications are finished, the gull will once again be flying free.”

The Centre wants to issue a warning to fisherman to not discard unwanted fishing line or tackle, as this is not the first bird that has been brought into the Centre.