Shocking images have emerged from Perth Zoo of a cormorant which had to be put down after it had swallowed fishing hooks.
The zoo said the incident had occurred earlier this summer, when they spotted the juvenile bird looking “very out of sorts”.
“After some X-rays and exams in our Vet Hospital, the team discovered three fishing hooks had been swallowed,” they said on Instagram.
“Sadly, these hooks were preventing him from eating and he was slowly starving to death.”
Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the zoo’s veterinarian staff, they were forced to put the bird down.
“Given the severity of his injuries, the best thing for this wild bird’s welfare was to humanely euthanise,” they said.
“We wish there had been a better outcome.”
The zoo said this should serve as a reminder to the public to be responsible when near the water.
“Make sure you dispose of all your litter, including fishing line and tackle,” they said.
“That way it won’t end up in the belly of wildlife.”
The majority of species have dark feathers with a long, thin and hooked bill.
Their feet have webbing between all four toes. All species are fish-eaters, catching the prey by diving from the surface.