Waipuna Park bird rescue not successful

A white-faced heron was trapped in a tree. Photo/Andrew Warner

A heron found hanging upside down from a tree with its foot trapped in a branch was rescued by the fire brigade, but was later put down.

The white-faced heron was found by members of the public hanging from a walnut tree in Waipuna Park about 7m up.

Karen Bern told the Bay of Plenty Times the bird was one of a pair of herons that were well known for frequenting the park.

Calling from the scene, Ms Bern said the heron's mate was next to it on a light post.

"The poor thing is flapping every now and again. It got on top of a branch so it wasn't hanging for a while, but now it's hanging again. It's hanging by its poor foot."

Ms Bern said the tree was thin and too weak to be climbed, which was why the emergency services had been called.

A firefighter climbed a ladder to rescue the bird, which he did by sawing the branch to get the bird down.

When on the ground, rescuers discovered its foot was bound with red nylon.

It was taken to ARRC Wildlife Trust for treatment.

Director Liza Schneider said unfortunately the heron's leg was too badly damaged for it to survive and the centre put it to sleep.

"Herons usually don't do well in captivity for an extended period and, with a break like that, it would have been in captivity for a while."

Dr Schneider said the heron's leg was broken in two places.

She said it was a sad fate for the bird, but the whole incident showed how much people cared about animals.

"At least we could send it away with respect."

Anna Porteouos from Tauranga SPCA holds the rescued heron. Photo/Andrew Warner