FIREFIGHTERS from Bradford helped free a peregrine falcon that was trapped in netting of a university building.
The protected bird got caught in netting on the roof of a University of Leeds building off Woodhouse Lane yesterday afternoon.
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (WYFRS) was called to assist at 4.28pm and crews from Cleckheaton and Hunslet Fire Stations went to the scene.
A specialist technical rescue unit was used.
Peregrine falcons are swift, agile, powerful birds that hunt medium-sized birds, such as wading birds, pigeons and small ducks.
There are 1,500 pairs of the species that breed every year.
But the falcons are still illegally killed to prevent predation on game birds and racing pigeons.
They also have eggs and chicks taken for collections and falconry.
Peregrine falcons are a Schedule 1 listed species of The Wildlife and Countryside Act, which means it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb the bird and its young at, on, or near an "active nest".
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article