An owl left hanging by its wing after getting caught in discarded fishing line above a water-filled quarry has been saved in a dramatic rescue.
The creature's plight was shared by World of Owls who put an appeal for help out last Tuesday evening as they couldn't get to Ballywalter.
They said: "Can anyone near the Ballywalter area help with a rescue please. There is an owl caught in fishing line beside a pond - Stump Road, Quarry Road. It's hanging and needs cut free ASAP."
And they were not left disappointed as a group rallied to its aid.
Pictures from the scene show the long eared owl hanging by one wing, which had apparently caught in the line above a body of water.
It is understood that a woman involved in the recue used her kayak to help, while one of the other rescuers ended up in the water, accidentally.
But the lucky bird was eventually taken to safety and is now being cared for by Debbie Nelson of Debbie Doolittle's Wild Life, who says it is a miracle the bird didn't have a broken wing.
She told Belfast Live: "He's doing great... amazingly started eating on its own and looking more alert."
A post from Debbie Doolittle's Wild Life on Tuesday read: "What a dramatic experience for this poor Long eared owl this afternoon. Not only swans and waterbirds get caught in fishing line!
"It was hanging by its four or five long primary feathers that had got tangled in very thin fishing line and then caught on this branch... overhanging a QUARRY!!!
"Massive WELL DONE to the group of locals who got kayaks, nets and managed to get the owl down and to safety. And especially to the chap who went swimming... by accident!!
"There is amazingly no breaks and other than being very sore, all joints are where they should be. I was expecting at least a major dislocation from this. Constant monitoring will be happening.
"It's currently preening and is settled under a heat lamp to let it recover from the shock of this all."
Debbie Doolittle's Wild Life is a voluntary animal rescue organisation and relies on donations to continue providing help to wildlife that needs it.
If you would like to support them click here.
For the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here.
