Here’s something to crow about — RSPCA WA has successfully rescued a rooster stranded in the middle of the Canning River.
It was alerted to the fowl situation on Wednesday, October 14, by a member of the public who had spotted the bird near the Greenfield Street Footbridge in Ferndale.
The rooster, who may have initially been feeling cocky, had somehow ended up perched on top of protective netting about 2m above the water.
The netting had been installed as part of a Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions aquatic revegetation project.
DBCA inspectors joined RSPCA inspector Bridie Creedy and trainee inspector Teale Audas in the far-from-paltry rescue effort, wading out to retrieve the rooster following Inspector Creedy’s rescue instructions issued from shore.
The bird, now named River Phoenix, was not entangled and was safely carried back to dry land, despite becoming a bit soggy during the rescue manoeuvre.
Inspector Creedy said it was one of the more unusual rescues she’d attended.
“I’ve rescued animals from all sorts of places,but this is the first time I’ve been called to a rooster stranded in the middle of a river,” she said.
“Roosters can manage short bursts of flight, but how River Phoenix ended up out there is anyone’s guess.
“He’s a beautiful bird and already doing much better. He was quite thin when he arrived, but he’s putting on weight and has settled in really well.
“We’re very grateful to the DBCA staff who helped bring him to safety.”
River Phoenix was taken to the RSPCA WA in Malaga, where he is now available for adoption.
RSPCA WA is reporting more unwanted roosters being surrendered or abandoned, often after people buy chicks not desexed that later mature into males.
“Many local governments restrict keeping roosters in suburban areas because of noise but abandoning them is never the answer,” inspector Creedy said.
“Domestic roosters aren’t equipped to fend for themselves. They can suffer from starvation, dehydration, disease, injury and predation.
“If you can no longer care for a rooster, please ask for help from a rescue group, animal welfare organisation or your local council rather than leaving the bird to fend for itself.”
Abandoning an animal is an offence under WA’s Animal Welfare Act 2002, with penalties of up to $50,000 and five years imprisonment.