Wildlife Trapped in Fencing, Netting & Drains
How to help wildlife trapped in man-made hazards
Wild animals can become trapped in garden netting, fences, drains, discarded litter and other structures around our homes and outdoor spaces.
What may appear to be a minor entanglement can cause serious injuries, restrict breathing or circulation, and leave an animal vulnerable to exhaustion, dehydration, predators and exposure.
At CapesWildlifeRescue, we encourage anyone who finds trapped wildlife to assess the situation safely, avoid pulling an animal free and seek appropriate advice.
If an animal is tightly entangled, injured, struggling to breathe or trapped somewhere dangerous, seek professional assistance promptly.
1. Common Hazards Affecting Wildlife
Wildlife encounters many hazards in gardens, parks, roadsides and other environments.
Garden netting
Birds, hedgehogs and other small animals can become caught in fruit nets, sports netting, plant supports and discarded mesh.
Netting can tighten around limbs, wings, necks or bodies as an animal struggles. This may cause cuts, swelling, restricted circulation or severe distress.
Loose netting left close to the ground is particularly hazardous to animals moving through gardens.
Fencing and wire
Birds may become caught in wire fencing, while hedgehogs and other mammals can become trapped in gaps or openings.
Sharp edges, protruding wires and narrow spaces may cause cuts, puncture wounds, fractures or injuries as an animal attempts to escape.
Never assume an animal can safely reverse out of a gap simply because it entered head-first.
Drains and gullies
Small mammals, hedgehogs, amphibians and other wildlife can fall into drains, gullies, inspection chambers and other openings.
Deep or smooth-sided structures may prevent escape. Animals can become exhausted, injured or exposed to water and other hazards.
Never enter a drain, manhole, culvert or confined space to rescue an animal yourself. These environments can contain dangerous gases, unstable structures, contaminated water and other life-threatening hazards.
Litter and discarded materials
Plastic packaging, loops, fishing line, string, wire and other discarded materials can entangle wildlife.
Fishing hooks and line can cause puncture wounds, while string and thin fibres may tighten around limbs or other body parts.
Other structures
Wildlife may also become trapped in sheds, garages, fences, netting around ponds, sports equipment and gaps beneath buildings.
If an animal is trapped within a structure, avoid dismantling it or moving heavy objects until you have assessed the risks and sought appropriate advice.
2. Signs That an Animal Is Trapped or Injured
A trapped animal may struggle visibly, but some animals become very still when frightened or exhausted.
Look for:
Netting, wire, string or other material wrapped around the body or limbs.
A wing or leg held in an abnormal position.
Bleeding, cuts, swelling or visible wounds.
Repeated attempts to escape without success.
Difficulty standing, walking or moving normally.
Laboured breathing or obvious distress.
Unusual stillness, weakness or reduced responsiveness.
An inability to climb out of a drain or confined space.
Material caught around the neck, chest or beak.
An animal may sustain serious injuries even when there is little visible bleeding. Tight entanglement can also impair circulation or breathing.
3. What Should You Do If You Find Trapped Wildlife?
Step 1: Assess the Situation Safely
Before approaching, consider the immediate hazards.
Check for traffic, deep water, electrical equipment, unstable structures, sharp materials and other dangers.
Keep children and domestic animals away from the area.
Never put yourself at risk to rescue an animal. If the situation is dangerous or beyond your capabilities, keep a safe distance and contact an appropriate rescue service.
Step 2: Contact a Wildlife Rescue
Contact CapesWildlifeRescue and explain what has happened.
Where possible, tell us:
What species is involved.
Exactly where the animal is trapped.
What it is caught in or underneath.
Whether it is moving or struggling.
Whether you can see any wounds or bleeding.
Whether its breathing or movement appears restricted.
Whether there are immediate environmental hazards.
Photographs or videos can help us understand the situation, provided they can be taken safely without disturbing the animal.
Our team will triage the circumstances and advise you on the appropriate next steps.
Step 3: Avoid Pulling the Animal Free
An animal may be more tightly entangled than it first appears.
Pulling it free can tighten netting or string, worsen wounds, damage feathers or fur, and cause additional injuries to limbs or joints.
Do not cut material close to the animal's skin, feathers, wings or limbs unless you have received appropriate guidance and can do so safely.
If material is embedded in the body, or the animal is trapped around its neck or chest, avoid attempting removal yourself.
Step 4: Keep the Area Calm
Reduce noise and disturbance while awaiting advice.
Keep people and pets away, avoid repeatedly approaching the animal and do not attempt to feed it or give it water.
If the animal is safely accessible and you have been advised to assist, follow the specific instructions provided.
Step 5: Arrange Appropriate Assistance
Depending on the situation, we may advise safe containment, attendance by an appropriate rescue service, or urgent veterinary assistance.
If an animal is trapped in a dangerous location, such as a deep drain or roadside structure, specialist assistance may be required.
If the animal is critically injured or struggling to breathe, explain this clearly when seeking help.
4. Why You Should Not Cut Netting or Wire Without Care
Cutting netting or wire can sometimes be part of a rescue, but doing so without considering the animal's position can make matters worse.
Scissors, blades and wire cutters can cause additional injuries if the animal moves suddenly. Cutting the wrong section can also cause the material to tighten or release unpredictably.
If netting is wrapped tightly around a limb, cutting close to the skin may damage the underlying tissues.
Where safe and appropriate, a trained rescuer may be able to stabilise the animal and carefully release the entanglement.
If the material is tightly embedded, the animal is struggling severely, or you cannot clearly see where the material lies, do not attempt removal yourself.
5. Wildlife Trapped in Drains or Confined Spaces
Animals trapped underground or within enclosed structures may require a different response from those caught in garden netting.
Drains and other confined spaces can present significant hazards, including:
Deep water or flooding.
Unstable covers and surrounding ground.
Dangerous gases or poor ventilation.
Contaminated water and waste.
Restricted access and difficulty safely reaching the animal.
Never enter a drain, sewer, culvert or confined space to reach an animal.
Do not lean into an opening where you could fall, lift heavy covers without appropriate precautions, or use tools that could injure an unseen animal.
Keep track of the animal's location and contact an appropriate rescue service. Depending on the circumstances, specialist rescue assistance may be needed.
If the animal is in immediate danger, make this clear when contacting the relevant service.
6. What If the Animal Has Already Escaped?
An animal may escape from netting or a drain before help arrives.
If this happens, avoid chasing it. Repeated pursuit can cause additional stress and may drive an injured animal into a more dangerous location.
Instead:
Note the direction in which it went.
Record its last known location.
Look for any obvious signs of blood or discarded entangling material, without disturbing the area unnecessarily.
Inform the rescue team of what happened.
Follow any advice about observation or further action.
If you suspect the animal has sustained an injury, seek advice even if it is no longer visible.
7. Preventing Future Accidents
Many entanglement injuries can be reduced by making small changes around homes, gardens and outdoor spaces.
Garden netting
Keep netting taut and raised well above the ground where appropriate.
Avoid loose or sagging mesh that wildlife can walk or fly into.
Check netting regularly for trapped animals.
Remove damaged or unnecessary netting.
Consider wildlife-friendlier alternatives where possible.
Fencing and wire
Check fences for sharp edges, protruding wire and hazardous gaps.
Ensure wildlife cannot become trapped in narrow spaces.
Remove abandoned wire, string and other materials.
Where practical, provide safe passage through garden boundaries for wildlife.
Drains and openings
Secure drain covers and inspection chamber covers.
Check that garden gullies and other openings are properly covered.
Where appropriate, consider escape ramps for wildlife in accessible pits or water features.
Do not install covers or barriers that create new hazards or prevent essential drainage.
Litter and fishing materials
Dispose of fishing line, hooks, string and plastic packaging responsibly.
Cut loops in discarded materials before disposal where appropriate.
Never leave fishing equipment or loose netting where wildlife can become entangled.
Pick up litter when safe to do so.
Sheds, garages and outbuildings
Check enclosed spaces before closing doors.
Allow wildlife a safe opportunity to leave where appropriate.
Avoid sealing openings if an animal may be trapped inside.
Seek advice if an animal is nesting or sheltering in a structure and you are unsure how to proceed.
8. What Happens If the Animal Is Admitted?
If CapesWildlifeRescue agrees to admit an animal following an entanglement incident, it will be assessed according to its individual needs.
Depending on the circumstances, care may involve checking for wounds, assessing mobility and circulation, managing pain, treating injuries and monitoring for complications.
Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, so ongoing observation may be necessary even after the animal has been released from the entanglement.
Our on-site veterinary team, comprising a veterinary surgeon and a Registered Veterinary Nurse, contributes veterinary and nursing expertise to patient care as appropriate.
Where possible, the aim is to support recovery and rehabilitate the animal for release back into the wild.
Sadly, severe injuries may have lasting consequences. All treatment and rehabilitation decisions are guided by the animal's welfare and prognosis.
Found Wildlife Trapped in Netting, Fencing or a Drain?
Please contact CapesWildlifeRescue for advice if you find an animal that is trapped, entangled or injured.
Tell us what has happened, where the animal is located and whether it appears injured or distressed.
If the situation is dangerous, do not attempt a rescue yourself. Contact the appropriate emergency or specialist rescue service.
All admissions to CapesWildlifeRescue must be authorised in advance. Please do not bring an animal to our site without an agreed admission and arrival time.
By acting carefully, seeking appropriate help and reducing hazards around our homes, we can help prevent avoidable injuries and protect the wildlife that shares our environment.
