A buzzard has been rescued after being found hanging upside down from a tree on a fishing line in Aberdeen.
The bird was found by three fishermen in the Stoneywood area next to the River Don on Monday suspended from a branch 10ft above the water.
Sandy Bell, Martin Roberts and Mel Thomson alerted the Scottish SPCA, who managed to successfully rescue the bird-of-prey after negotiating a steep 90ft descent to the river bank with the support of the trio.
Claire McGillivary, animal rescue officer at the SCPA, thanked them all for their intervention.
She said: “This certainly wasn’t an easy job and the fishermen bravely went into the water up to their waists.
“One of them had tree loppers and we had to bend the branch down towards us and cut it so that the bird would land in my net.
“There were five different fishing lines attached to its feet and one had been caught through its talon.
“I don’t believe the buzzard was hanging there for too long but because it was very windy it was swinging around, which could have easily caused dislocation of the leg.”
She added the bird had recovered from the incident.
She said: “The bird was taken to a local vets to have the fishing line removed and, thankfully, there wasn’t much damage.
“The gentlemen who assisted me were absolutely amazing and a great help, I can’t thank them enough.”
Mr Roberts said it was good to see the bird released.
He said: “We were all very pleased with this outcome and it was great to see the bird fully recovered being released back into its natural habitat.”
Anyone who discovers an injured or distressed animal should call the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
