Rescuing a Golden Back Woodpecker From a Fishing Net

Occurred on August 30, 2022 / West Bengal, India

Info from Licensor: "It was a hot and humid summer day when I went to a riverside location in the upcountry of West Bengal, India. Walking by the village of mainly fishermen, I suddenly observed a woodpecker hanging on the wall of a building. To get the shot, my friend and I went closer, and found it was badly stuck in the fishing net which was hanging on the wall for drying them up. The nylon threads of the net were all around the bird, especially on it's neck and wings. It was struggling badly, and with every shake it was getting more entangled in the deadly, strong threads.

An immediate rescue was required to save the bird. We carefully held it by hand and then realized we'd have to cut open the net. We borrowed a small scissors from the residents of the house, and started carefully cutting the net. The bird was frightened badly, and it's every scream was breaking our heart, but we had to go on!

After almost 15 minutes of careful operation, all threads were removed. The beautiful bird, although it was frightened, did cooperate. It was a fighter, and was freed in a healthy condition, with no wounds anywhere visible in the body. The final flight of it toward a palm tree was one of the best feelings I've ever felt"