Swan Rescued After Terrifying Hook Incident at Cardiff Park
A swan suffered painful injuries after swallowing a fishing hook at Roath Park, Cardiff, before being heroically rescued by RSPCA.
RSPCA Heroes Save Injured Swan
Gemma Black, an RSPCA inspector, tracked down and safely caught the distressed swan on 30 October. “Luckily, I managed to catch him on land and rushed him to the vets,” she said. The hook was removed and the swan was treated with antibiotics.
“Since he had no other injuries, I returned him to the park, where he swam off happily. It was so lovely to see.”
Fishing Litter Puts Wildlife in Danger
This rescue comes just a week after RSPCA Cymru urged anglers to clean up their discarded fishing gear. Recent incidents include a male mallard duck caught in fishing line at Hendre Lake, Cardiff—a repeat of a similar case from June.
“Most anglers are responsible, but it only takes one careless person to endanger wildlife,” Gemma warned. “This is the second wild bird rescue in one week caused by fishing litter. It’s so sad and completely avoidable.”
Top Tips to Protect Wildlife from Fishing Litter
- Take unwanted fishing line home and recycle it via local tackle shops or the Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme.
- Be mindful of trees—discarded line caught in branches traps wildlife.
- Never leave bait unattended; always remove hooks and store safely.
- Use a bait box to contain your tackle.
- Pick up any fishing litter you see, even if it’s not yours.
For more advice, visit the RSPCA website on properly disposing of fishing waste.
RSPCA officers are working tirelessly on the frontlines during the Covid-19 pandemic. To support their lifesaving work, consider donating online.
