Sad wildlife encounters on the river

River Barle Kayaking, bat found hanging from a discarded fishing hook and line

Kayaking, managed to remove the hook

Kayaking, managed to warm him for a while and left him on a tree.

A great day out on the river Barle kayaking, was tinged with a little sadness. We found a small bat (we think its a pipistral... but I'm no expert). A fisherman had left a discarded hook hanging from a branch. The bat had obvioulsy mistaken the hook as a fly and swooped and swallowed the hook.

We found it hanging by its mouth attached to the hook hanging over the river, we managed to cut it down from the branch, remove the hook and warm him up for a while and left him on the tree.

I know it was probably futile, but we couldn't leave it where it was. So we left it with some hope.

It was the first time I had ever held a bat....and just so sad to see it in that condition.
So this is just a plea... it may only be a 30p hook and line. but the damage from leaving it are much wider, a pointless and avoidable impact on a delicate eco system.
:-(