Good to see people taking an interest in our #rivers,we hope they’ll become guardians of these precious #habitats &advocate for allowing our #wildlife to thrive. But there’s a horrible hometruth that fishermen (& @EnvAgency) need to face up to-thread contains distressing images https://twitter.com/bbccountryfile/status/1302669077975126021

For every new licenced fisherman there’s many more unlicensed leading to much suffering of our river #wildlife illustrated by #wildlifecrimes in this thread @EnvAgency MUST step up checking of licences&honourable fishermen must call out those endangering #wildlife @BBCCountryfile

A not uncommon injury Dagenham,Nov2019 rather than capturing the snagged swan,a hook has been ripped out tearing the esophagus.The swan attempted to feed but unable to swallow the food has lodged as a blockage(see bulge)at wound site.Successful rescue operation by @Swan_Sanctuary

#LeeNavigation #TottenhamLock Aug 2020 Despite community searching for this much-loved mallard mum she wasn’t located in time. The hook & line she was snagged on killed her, it caused her much suffering. Weren’t able to rescue her 3 ducklings #rodlicence @EnvAgency #wildlifecrime

#LangdonNatureReserve #Basildon 06/09/2020 #cygnet with fish hook snagged in tongue - captured dragging 25m of fishing line in which 1kg of debris & lead weight was entangled Hook removed, successful rescue by @Swan_Sanctuary #rodlicence #healthyrivers #wildlifecrime @EnvAgency

06/09/2020 #HampsteadHeath #cygnet with fish hook snagged in leg joint. Hook removed, successful rescue by @Swan_Sanctuary #rodlicence #healthyrivers #wildlifecrime @EnvAgency

06/09/2020 #Thamesmead #cygnet with fish hook snagged in corner of mouth, fishing line looped over head and ingested down throat on other side. Hook removed, successful rescue by @Swan_Sanctuary #rodlicence #healthyrivers #wildlifecrime @EnvAgency

shout out to the skilled volunteers & staff of the @Swan_Sanctuary tirelessly safeguarding our #river birds. You can help out by supporting their work here: http://www.theswansanctuary.org.uk/make-a-donation/