Exhausted owl rescued after getting stuck in glue trap

The RSPCA is urging people not to put down glue traps to capture rats and mice after a Tawny Owl was found attached to a trap near Bristol.

The owl was unable to move his wings and had to be taken to RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Somerset.

RSPCA animal collection officer Chris James said: "Thankfully the owl was still alive when we rescued him but was exhausted from trying to get free from the glue trap."

Glue traps - also known as 'glue boards' or 'sticky boards' - consist of a sheet of cardboard, plastic or wood coated with non-drying adhesive.

It is legal to use them to catch rats and mice, however, it is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to kill or injure wild birds.