FISHERMEN at the Basins in Wellington are being urged to be careful not to discard tackle that can be dangerous to wildlife.

Katherine Legg and her daughter Cara found an injured duck in severe distress at the beauty spot and were helped by passers-by Georgie and Andy Disney, who took it to the Mount Veterinary Hospital in High Street for treatment.

The duck was bleeding heavily after a fishing line and hook had entangled itself around its tongue and wings.

The veterinary surgery removed the hook from the duck’s tongue, cut the line away and gave the bird a painkiller injection and antibiotics.

Trevor Russell-Cairns, of the Wellington Basins Voluntary Group, later released the bird duck into the water.

Lynda Russell-Cairns, from the volunteer group, said: “Fishermen should be aware that hooks and fishing lines can be extremely dangerous to both the ducks and swans at the Basins.

“Now we have our three beautiful cygnets being reared there it is even more important to be careful when fishing.

“Wellington Basins Volunteer Group would like to say a huge thank you to all of those who helped out that day.”