The team at the Ayrshire's Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre have highlighted the horrific consequences of soon-to-be-banned glue traps.

The latest victim to be brought to the centre was a robin, who walked onto the trap - basically a board covered in glue.

The poor bird landed on the trap - designed to catch rodents - and struggled to free itself. Thankfully it avoided any fractures but its feather's were coated in glue.

Gay Christie, who founded Hessilhead in Beith, said: "We can't imagine why anyone would design a glue trap.

"These inhumane traps are going to be illegal soon, later this year in Scotland, and that won't be too soon.

"The board that the animal walks on is covered in glue. As soon as the victim discovers it is trapped it struggles to free itself.

"We have seen voles and mice with most of their hair missing and small birds with fractured wings or legs.

"Most people who arrive here holding a victim are horrified. I wonder what they thought would happen."

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: The robin is now recoveringThe robin is now recovering (Image: Hessilhead Rescue Centre)

Campaigner PETA described glue traps as "torture devices".

The Scottish Government announced a ban on glue traps last year and it will come into force soon. The move faced opposition from Pest Control companies.

The new Bill will make it an offence to:

  • Set a glue trap for the purpose of catching any animal (other than an invertebrate)
  • Use a glue trap in a manner that is likely to cause bodily injury to any animal (other than an invertebrate)
  • Purchase a glue trap that is designed to capture any animal (other than an invertebrate) unless it is purchased for use outwith Scotland and is delivered outwith Scotland

Gay added: "We wrapped the robin in kitchen roll and gently eased it off the board.

"The robin was alert, watching all the time, and as soon as it was free of glue we put it into a heated brooder.

"It didn't move much that night but we were happy to see it moving around by morning.

"For the next two weeks the robin was bathed with washing up liquid. This is a dissolvent that removes glue from feathers but we must make sure it doesn't harm the skin."

The robin is now flying well and seems set for a full recovery.