A pigeon facing death after being trapped behind netting for two days is now on the mend after being found to have a severely broken leg.
The Argus called for the help of bird rescuer Justin King after we discovered the poor baby bird unable to move from a ledge in Brighton’s Imperial Arcade.
Justin climbed a ladder to rescue the pigeon, estimated to be two to three weeks old, before taking it to his friend Krystina Stafford, of Meridian Veterinary Practice, in Peacehaven.
The Argus caught up with Krystina on Friday to find out how our little pigeon friend is doing.
“He’s at work with me right now, I couldn’t leave him on his own at home. He’s got a broken leg which I’ve put in a new cast today. It’s a big break,” she said.
“He’s still being fed through a tube at the moment as he’s only young, but once he’s recovered I’ll take him to my friend in Brighton who rehabilitates birds.
“We’re hoping for the best but he may lose the leg still – but there’s plenty of one-legged pigeons out there.
“And once he’s rehabilitated, we will reintroduce him.”
It will be another few weeks before the pigeon is well enough to be rehabilitated, and another while before he can be released in the wild.
But Krystina said work like this is only possible with the help of people who can give up their time to help.
READ MORE: Tragedy as Brighton pigeon trapped in netting is on 'brink of death'
“Justin is essential," she said.
“I think he started with the seagulls and ended up having to take a few months off work to look after them.”
Justin runs South Coast and Sussex Bird and Gull Volunteer Network, which helps birds in need of medical assistance, or even just some love and care.
He told The Argus when rescuing the pigeon: “This has been an age-old problem for the arcade.
“It happens all the time. I don’t understand the purpose of the netting anyway. The birds will always find a way.
“The netting just needs to go.”
There are other bird rescue groups across the county, including East Sussex Wildlife Rescue, Bird Aid, and Bexhill Wildlife Service.
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