Cormorant bird dies after being rescued from Danson Park lake

On Saturday (October 7) London Fire Brigade and volunteers from the Greenwich Wildlife Network were called to the lake in Danson Park.

The bird, a cormorant, had become “entangled” with rope after two fishing hooks had become embedded in the animal’s leg.

According to the Wildlife Trust, the bird is commonly found in coastal areas as well as in lakes, reservoirs, and inland rivers in the UK.

Greenwich Wildlife Network founder, Rae Gellel, said that this wasn’t a commonly seen bird in London and not a bird that the charity encounters on a regular basis.

Rae said: “These dinosaur-like birds are not a species we often encounter in London, as they’re more abundant in coastal areas.

“It’s a most unusual bird for us at the Greenwich Wildlife Network.”

On arrival, volunteers from the Greenwich Wildlife Network contacted London Fire Brigade due to poor visibility at the time of night.

A rescue boat owned by London Fire Brigade was sent out to reach the bird, and the bird was then handed over to the care of volunteers from the Greenwich Wildlife Network.

Rae said: “The cormorant was in danger of drowning.

“Since the park has no sources of light at night, we were doubtful of our abilities to free him using our inflatable kayak, though we were committed to try if it was the only option.

“Thankfully LFB agreed to attend instead and access the cormorant using their boat, most likely also saving me from a night stuck in the mud at Danson Park.

“Our volunteers were then on standby to collect the Cormorant after he was brought to safety by the fire fighters.

“We are in debt to London Fire Brigade.”

A length of rope had become entangled around the bird's leg (Image: Rae Gellel)

After volunteers had inspected the bird, they discovered two large fishing hooks that had become embedded in the animal’s foot, which resulted in the bird sustaining a fracture to its leg.

The animal was taken to the Swan Sanctuary to receive treatment for its injuries.

Rae said: “Upon arrival it was clear the source of entanglement - two fishing hooks deeply embedded in the beautiful bird’s foot, which had then got caught on a length of rope in the lake.

“He had also given himself a nasty fracture whilst struggling to free himself.

“Since these are a specialist species and the cormorant needs the care of an experienced vet ASAP, the ever dedicated has Lauren cancelled plans in order to transport him to the Swan Sanctuary.”

“Unfortunately it’s really common for us to get calls about animals with fishing line wrapped around a limb or a fishing hook embedded in them, we get at least one rescue per week of that nature.

“Whilst we generally don’t encourage pastimes that require harming animals in the first place, we would ask any anglers to at least properly discard of any fishing equipment and not to leave any behind in the environment because it will inevitably lead to situations like this.

“One moment of carelessness can equal weeks of pain and suffering for an animal and can ultimately cost them their lives.”

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: “London Fire Brigade was called at 1828 on October 7 to reports of a bird trapped in netting in the middle of a lake at Danson Park in Bexleyheath.

Rescued cormorant bird (Image: Rae Gellel)

“Two fire engines from Sidcup and Bexley fire stations attended the scene along with a fire and rescue unit from Bexley Fire Station.

“Firefighters used one of the Brigade's water rescue boats to reach the bird and they worked to release it before leaving it in the care of partners.

“The incident was over for firefighters by 1941.”

They added: "We're saddened to hear that the bird which our firefighters helped rescue from a lake at Danson Park has not survived from injuries that it had sustained.

“Firefighters love animals and we are ready, willing and able to assist distressed or injured animals - the last thing we want is for people to put themselves at risk rescuing an animal themselves - but we do encourage people to call the RSPCA in the first instance and we will assist if our specialist equipment is required."