A GANNET trapped 150ft down Bempton Cliffs has been rescued by the RSPCA.
Specialist officers from the charity’s rope rescue team travelled from across the country to help the juvenile bird who was "flapping around and clearly distressed" on the 300ft cliffs at the reserve, run by the RSPB.
The rescue operation, which involved one of the four officers abseiling down the cliff face, took place on Wednesday.
RSPCA inspector and national wildlife co-ordinator Geoff Edmond said: “RSPCA inspector Michael Pugh went down to the bird while colleagues Vicki Taylor, Nayman Dunderdale and Mark Roberts took responsibility for getting him down there and back safely.
“It was a difficult and dramatic rescue but we knew we had to free the bird, or he would have died down there.
“The bird was taken straight to a vet and given some treatment to help deal with stress and lice, but they believe the bird has a chance."
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