Wildlife rescuers say the fate of an owl which had to be put down after being trapped on a fence is an example of the dangers that barbed wire can pose to Australian wildlife.
Wildcare Inc NT posted a photo of the barking owl tangled in the fence on Facebook, prompting comments about the bird's highly disgruntled expression.
However it was later revealed that the bird had to be euthanased because of its injuries.
Volunteer rescuers who were called to the property east of Darwin found the top of the bird's wing was caught on the barbed wire.
Rescuer Mike Jarvis transported the injured bird to the vet, where nurses made the decision to put the bird down.
"It definitely would have been a long recovery process," Mr Jarvis said.
The rescue prompted the animal welfare organisation to issue a plea to the public to consider the impact of barbed wire on local wildlife.
More than 75 different species of wildlife regularly become victim to barbed wire fences, rescuers say, with nocturnal animals like owls disproportionately affected.
Mr Jarvis said wrapping white horse tape around a barbed wire fence was an effective way to increasing the visibility of the fence.
"I've never seen any animals caught in a barbed wire fence with horse tape," he said.
