RSPCA in Sheffield comes to the rescue of desperate kestrel found in pig farm slurry pit

The charity came to the rescue of the bird who had fallen deep into a farm slurry pit on the outskirts of Sheffield and could not get out.

RSPCA animal welfare officer and specialist wildlife officer Liz Braidley was called to the farm in Lightwood Lane on Sunday after staff spotted the bird of prey.

Ms Braidley said: “The poor kestrel was absolutely filthy after falling into the pig slurry pit. He was stuck around 8ft down in the pit and his feathers were completely logged with faeces.

“When I arrived he was collapsed and was clearly exhausted from struggling in the sticky substance. He couldn’t move and certainly wouldn’t have been able to fly out of the pit on his own so he was very lucky to have been spotted.

“I managed to retrieve him and took him to a local vet for a bath. He was examined and x-rayed and, thankfully, hadn’t sustained any injuries in his ordeal.

“We kept him for a few days to monitor him and then released him back on Tuesday (29 September). It was wonderful to see him stretch his wings and fly off.”

Anyone who sees a wild animal in distress, sick or injured should contact the RSPCA’s emergency hotline for advice on 0300 1234 999 and shouldn’t attempt a rescue themselves.