Vets remove fishing lure from bird's wing, then use boiling water to restore its feathers

A bird with a fishing lure caught on its body got a second chance thanks to a veterinary team and an unusual treatment: boiling water applied to its damaged feathers.

Here's what to know

The bird arrived at Wildlife Aid Foundation after a large fishing lure became caught in its wing, according to a short video posted by the organization on social media. 

"It was obvious he needed urgent care before the lure could cause even more damage to his feathers," the foundation wrote in the video caption.

The video shows workers carefully cutting the lure free and releasing the bird back into the wild.

More background

The fishing equipment was tightly entangled in the bird's feathers, making it particularly difficult to remove. "Basically trapped all the way around the feathers," a voice in the video can be heard describing.

The Wildlife Aid Foundation said the lure was sharp and bulky, increasing the risk of further damage. Having the object hanging from its wing was also uncomfortable for the bird. 

Fortunately, the bird's wing reportedly sustained no more than superficial damage.

What's being done?

Boiling water helped strengthen the bird's feathers, the Wildlife Aid Foundation explained. Its veterinarians dipped the wing in it after carefully removing the lure. The bird tried to escape while recovering and was eventually released after resting.

Where can I learn more?

Other birds have needed rescue after encounters with fishing gear and other human-made hazards:

• In the U.K., a rescuer removed a fishing hook from a young swan's neck.

• Arizona crews cut away fishing line from an owl hanging from a power pole.

• A rescuer went overboard before freeing a cygnet with a hook in its bill.

• In Florida, peanut butter helped free a burrowing owl stuck to a glue trap.

• California rescuers found a barn owl's beak sealed after it lunged at glue-trapped prey.

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