Stork with beak shut by plastic ring set free

An Australian black-necked stork, which had got its beak trapped in a plastic ring, was set free today by Haryana's Forest Minister Rao Narbir Singh at the Sultanpur National Park in Gurgaon.

The plastic ring had shut the migratory bird's beak and it was unable to eat for a week.

The bird was spotted in Gurgaon a week ago by some bird photographers.

A team of the wildlife department rushed to the village where it had been spotted, rescued and treated the bird, an official spokesman said.

"A bird watcher posted the photo of the injured bird on his Facebook page and the wildlife team did a commendable work in saving its life. The whole process to save the bird took over five days," Singh said.

"Now that the ring has been removed, and treatment given to the bird, it is quite normal and has been set free," the minister added.