Technical rescue in Couillet: a jackdaw trapped in a chimney

Our ADT – Animal Disaster Team intervened in Couillet at the request of the CREAVES wildlife centre in Ransart, to assist a wild bird in distress. The rescue involved a jackdaw — a young corvid that had become trapped… inside a sealed-off old chimney.

Once on site, the situation turned out to be more complex than expected: the bird had fallen into an old, closed-off flue that was inaccessible from inside the building. Part of the structure had to be carefully opened, and a large amount of ash and debris — built up over time — had to be cleared.

After several minutes of careful searching, our team was finally able to locate and free the jackdaw. It was visibly weakened, but alive.

Severely underweight after several days without food, the young bird was immediately transferred to CREAVES Ransart. It is now receiving appropriate care to regain strength and, hopefully, will soon be released back into the wild.

This incident is a good reminder of one simple but essential action to help prevent such situations:

👉 Install a protective grate or chimney cap on any unused flues.

These small, discreet additions help prevent birds and other small animals from getting trapped inside.