An animal was left with fishing hooks stuck in its throat sparking an emergency rescue operation.

The cormorant, an aquatic bird, was discovered struggling at Loch Lomond and rushed to Vets Now Emergency Hospital Glasgow for treatment.

The out-of-hours medics “sprang into action” immediately to save the creature at their Charing Cross branch.

Glasgow Times: The cormorant, an aquatic bird, was discovered struggling at Loch LomondThe cormorant, an aquatic bird, was discovered struggling at Loch Lomond (Image: Newsquest)

Glasgow Times: The hooks were removed from the birdThe hooks were removed from the bird (Image: Newsquest)

The “feisty” bird was put under anesthetic while vets carefully removed the hooks and wire that it had swallowed.

Now he has been released back into the wild “where he belongs” thanks to the quick thinking vets.

Vets Now Pet Emergency Hospital Glasgow said: “This weekend brought the hospital an unexpected surprise – a fascinating visitor in the form of a cormorant!

“These expert divers can plunge as deep as 45 meters, but this time, one of them had a bit of a fishy mishap up at Loch Lomond.

“Luckily, a concerned member of the public brought the cormorant to us, and our dedicated out-of-hours team sprang into action.

“Despite being quite spirited, we gently anesthetised the feisty little guy and skillfully removed the fishing hooks from his throat.

“After his unscheduled hospital adventure, we're thrilled to report that he's back where he belongs, safely released into the wild.”