Animal rescuers came to the aid of a seagull that had a face mask wrapped around its feet.
Seagull
The RSPCA revealed that the gull was spotted by concerned onlookers in Chelmsford, Essex.
RSPCA officer Adam Jones said: ''Staff at a car showroom nearby had spotted the gull sat in the same spot for hours and didn't appear to be moving.
''I went out to catch him and when he tried to hop away he would stumble and fall. As soon as I caught him it was clear to see why as the poor thing had a disposable COVID face mask tangled around both legs.''
The mask was cut free from the bird's legs but did cause some damage.
Jones added: ''It's clear that the mask was there for some time and the elastic straps had tightened around his legs and his joints were swollen and sore.''