A THURROCK-based wildlife hospital is pleading for people to stop using rodent glue traps after a rise in the number of songbirds getting stuck. 

South Essex Wildlife Hospital at Orsett has released images of a robin pinned on the snare with its wings spread - surrounded by rodent poison - saying it has recently received two cases of robins stuck in the traps.

Both instances occurred within a week of one another, where staff at the hospital had to go above and beyond to rescue the small birds.

Hospital staff member Tom frees the bird.

A spokesperson said: "This has to stop - just a week after posting about a robin stuck to a rodent glue trap, another identical case arrived at our doors.

"Not only was this poor robin stuck to a glue trap, but it was surrounded by rodent poison - something that's also known to kill non-target species.

"Once removed from the trap by Tom, one of our staff members, Alannah spent almost an hour carefully removing the sticky residue from this poor bird.

"This process is far from quick, and many birds don't survive the stress.

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"We will do everything we can to fix this poor robin, but please make sure these traps are never used - even for a rodent, this is a horrific way to die."

Under The Glue Traps Offences Act 2022, the use of glue traps is illegal in the UK unless a valid licence is held.

While the sale of them is still legal to the public, these traps often catch non-target species, subjecting them to hours of torture and eventual death by stress or asphyxiation.