RSPCA rescue gull from well at historic Conwy Castle
RSPCA Cymru rescuers have successfully rescued a gull who had become trapped down a well around 50 feet deep at Conwy Castle.
The fledgling gull was visible from the top of the well and was spotted on 30 July. As it was unable to fly, the RSPCA were contacted with rescuer Melanie Froude attending that day.
Attempts were made to lure the gull towards a bucket which was attached to a rope and had some smelly cat food inside, but the gull unfortunately didn’t go inside.
It was then the following day – on 31 July – that RSPCA inspectors Andy Broadbent – who led the rescue – and Jenny Anderton attended the castle to see what they could do.
Failed
Jenny said: “We tried a few things with our nets and poles but they unfortunately failed. Our third plan was finally successful with the rescue taking in total around two hours!
“We made a sort of giant spoon with a net with two ropes tied on either end. The gull was released within a view of the castle and flew off straight away. It had been unable to take off when in the well due to the water.
“It was great to see the gull fly away happily after what was a some-what tricky and long-winded rescue! The gull flew off so quickly I wasn’t even able to get a quick picture!
“Following the rescue we have issued some advice to the staff at the castle about covering the well in case any other gull managed to get stuck down there!”
The rescue comes as the RSPCA launched its Cancel Out Cruelty fund-raising campaign last month to help the charity’s officers continue to rescue animals like this gull and is urging people to donate to help it continue this vital work.
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It is good to see this humane kindness towards a living thing in distress and the rescue of this fledgling was touching. (Notwithstanding, I have a sceptical and somewhat jaundiced view of the completely unchecked proliferation allowed in the adult gull population, which is a problem in coastal towns). More importantly, though, is a concern that, if a young bird could tumble down into this deep well, couldn’t a child fall in just as easily? Shouldn’t this well have been covered long since to avoid accidents? Perhaps the well in question is not in any area open to the public?… Read more »
I don’t have an answer to the risks to human children because I don’t know the site but I would have thought not. Well walls were built high enough to protect from such things and nowadays I think it’s likely that Cadw would have carried out risk assessments and covered the well with a grate. The bird probably entered the well looking for water by means that are unaccessible to humans. No harm in doing a quick sweep for points of access though.
I’ve just looked more closely at the photo and there seems to be a permanent high railing right around the well entrance. So there was no need to worry, after all!