A Wrexham-based engineering firm has been praised for their “quick-thinking and kindness” after helping RSPCA Cymru come to the aid of a stricken bird.
RSPCA officers were alerted after a gull was spotted caught by his wing to a communication aerial approximately 30-feet from the ground, at a warehouse on the Wrexham Industrial Estate.
Unfortunately, no suitable ladders were available to reach the troubled bird – so RSPCA inspector Phil Lewis visited the yard of the nearby JB Fabrication (Wrexham) Ltd, a North Wales-based engineering contractor.
Staff at the firm were happy to help – and provided an aerial platform to assist with the rescue of the bird. The incident took place on 12 October.
Inspector Phil was elevated to the troubled animal using the skylift, while JB Fabrication staff member Liam Pearson operated the controls. Another staff member, Jake Broderick, helped to move the skylift and had a box ready for the gull as he was lowered back to the ground.
RSPCA Cymru has paid tribute to staff at the company, and said the rescue is another reminder of what can be achieved when people work “together for animal welfare”.
Thankfully, with the aid of the aerial platform, the gull could be rescued from the aerial and brought to safety by the RSPCA officer.
He was given pain medication by a local vet before being transferred to specialist wildlife facilities at RSPCA Stapeley Grange. Sadly, the gull later had to be put to sleep due to the extent and severity of his injuries – but the rescue ensured the bird did not endure a prolonged period of suffering.
Inspector Phil said: “We are so grateful to the team at JB Fabrication, for loaning and operating the skylift, allowing us to reach this stricken bird. With no ladders available, we were reliant on their quick-thinking and kindness to help us. It’s a great advert of what we can achieve together for animal welfare.
“The poor gull was horribly caught up on a communications aerial, and needed urgent help. We were soon able to safely reach the gull with the use of the skylift.
“Vets gave the bird pain medication before he was taken to one of our specialist wildlife facilities as we attempted further rehabilitation. Sadly, the injuries were so severe that the bird had to be put to sleep. I dread to think of the prolonged suffering the bird may have endured had we had to wait much longer, so we’re just relieved we were able to work with JB Fabrication to help.”
