THE dangers of outdoor netting are being highlighted follow the rescue of gulls, jackdaws and snakes during lockdown.

RSPCA Cymru is issuing a reminder about the importance of maintaining and monitoring netting after attending a number of incidents, involving entangled animals, in recent weeks.

Inspectors Rachael Davies and Mark Roberts came to the aid of a jackdaw trapped by netting at a pub in Prestatyn on June 28.

Officers used ladders and rescue poles to reach the bird - who was fortunately found with only bruising to his leg.

Inspector Davies said: "This situation could have been far more serious for this poor jackdaw - but thankfully he only had minor bruising, and could be returned to the wild after we thoroughly checked him over.

"It was a really challenging rescue - but thankfully we were able to reach this bird, get him loose and return him to the wild."

Each year about 2,000 reports are made to the RSPCA about wild birds trapped in or behind netting, many incidents involving bird-deterrent netting.

In April, a gull died after getting its leg trapped in bird deterrent netting above Boots in Rhyl.

There has also been incidents in Aberystwyth, in football goal nets in the Vale of Glamorgan town and Swansea, in Abergavenny and other areas across Wales during the pandemic.

The RSPCA also rescued a large grass snake who had become badly entangled in outdoor netting at Llanddewi Rhydderch in May.

Netting must be correctly installed, maintained and monitored.

Failure to do so leaves gaps where birds are able to enter and become trapped; and - as proven the case during lockdown - there is a risk of birds suffering and dying from injury or starvation.

Members of the public who have seen a dead bird or other animal trapped in netting, or who are aware of regular incidents, can forward the address, property owner (if known) and date of incident to wildlife@rspca.org.uk. The RSPCA can then seek to contact the owner with guidance about resolving the issue.

Animals seen entangled in, or trapped by, netting should be reported to the charity's emergency line on 0300 1234 999.